The pictorialism movement shifted photography from commercialism to a more artistic, handcrafted approach. Photographs began to resemble paintings and drawings, evoking an unreal, rule-free world.

Modernist photography, known as straight photography, emerged in the 1920s, focusing on capturing images as they appeared through the viewfinder without manipulation. This approach encouraged photographers to confront reality directly.

Edward Weston and Aaron Siskind embraced this sharp realism, with Siskind paving the way for abstract photography by capturing natural environments in expressive ways. Abstract art invites viewers to interpret its meaning.

Andreas Gursky is a straight photographer who highlights the beauty of everyday settings, like fields and desert roads, with clear, unaltered images. In contrast, Uta Barth’s photographs of homes and offices are intentionally blurry, making her a pictorialist. Overall, many contemporary photographers now focus on straight photography to showcase the beauty of modern life.

Snodgrass, Susan. “ARTnews.Com.” ARTnews.Com, 3 Nov. 2011, https://www.artnews.com/art-in-america/aia-reviews/uta-barth-2-61042/. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.

“99 Cent – Andreas Gursky.” The Broad, https://www.thebroad.org/art/andreas-gursky/99-cent. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.

Abstract Photography for Beginners: Tips for Stunning Results

In my opinion, abstract photography can be defined as not focusing on a specific subject, but instead, every element is carefully chosen and is the “main character” in the art piece. It doesn’t aim for something “real” to present its emotions or ideas. However, it uses elements such as colors, shapes, and forms to support its purpose.

Abstract photography can be defined as capturing images in which the subject isn’t the most interesting element. Albert Renger-Patzsch and Aaron Siskind photographed the ordinary to reveal their beauty. Uta Barth reversed the typical use of the camera, shooting out of focus and Andreas Gursky photographs the repetition of elements. During this unit, you will investigate appropriate examples of abstract photography and respond in your own way.

What Is Abstract Art? And Why Should I Care?

My initial thought of the abstract unit is that it will be quite fun; this unit won’t be simply justified by right or wrong; it’s about exploring deeper ideas, emotions, and experiences. The photographer carefully considers every element in the photo and create an art piece that is meaningful and interesting

In my perspective, the definition of abstract: Abstract Photography can be defined as capturing images in which the subject isn’t the most interesting element. It can be understand as; subject, in photos the majority of the subject is the focus point in the whole photo, it expresses what the photographer is trying to communicate to the audience. However, this then varies in abstract photography, in my opinion, the most interesting element of abstract photography is the entirety of the photo, a specific subject doesn’t exist in the photo

“Wrong” Baldessari, 1967

Baldessari, John “Wrong” Photograph. Dragon’s Exchange, ISB.,22 August 2024 https://dx.isb.cn/dash/#/classroom/648607/sections/lesson/344114/page/344116/edit. Accessed 7th January 2025,

In 1967 John Baldessari exhibited his ‘wrong’ series. He uses a selection of photographic images anchored by text. The most famous of which, titled ‘wrong’ shows an image with poor composition juxtaposed by the text ‘wrong’ below the photograph (“Context”). I think Baldessari wanted us to think about is that an art or photo cannot be justified as “good” or “bad” just by shallow and limited details of techniques; it should be considered in many areas, such as the context or the story/emotion the photographer is trying to portray.

As the original intention of John Baldessari when creating the “WRONG” series was quite ironic and humorous, the context of the photo was different from others, it was deliberately to be “wrong”, in this case, this “bad” picture he took, should be a success as his intentions were different, no one is able to judge your work, following the conventional aesthetics is always not the only way or path that is valid.

The caption word “WRONG” can imply many meanings and questions for us to think about. As the photographer knows this photo is “wrong” and “bad” why would he send this out? There must be an ironic reason; it could be criticizing the conventional thought of how art should be judged by “good” or “bad” just in limited details or context; art and photos shouldn’t be judged by good and bad; they represent various things in many people’s perspective.

Referencing the picture above, I believe a “bad” picture can be “great” in its own way. In this case, the photographer John Baldessari has already achieved his goal of being as ironic and humorous as he wanted to be, or in other words, his original intentions, as the majority of people think that he accomplished his goals, I believe this “wrong” or “bad” photo is “great”.

In addition,  in my perspective, sometimes, the context of a photo might be just as important or even more than just the techniques and details of the photo, it can change the whole purpose and meaning of the photo, in my opinion, a “good” photo can be both presented as snapped in beautiful details and using various techniques, or it can also be representing someone’s emotion or story which is contributed by its context.