Aaron Siskind, Jerome, Arizona 21, Metmuseum, Denny Moers, Gus Kayafas, 19th September 2024

In this photography, we are able to see some pictorialism  movement. Then, what kind of pictorialism movement it shows in this photography? In the photography, a photographer tries to define one’s own mind to us, who see the works. It’s idea is quite similar to the abstract photography since it is also another way to show themselves as photographer. On the other hand, what is the straight photography movement shown in this photography? The details of  the texture and the shapes are the features of straight photography. It’s pretty different to Pictorialism. The biggest difference is pictorialism doesn’t focus much about the details of the element itself. However, Straight photography shows every little parts of the element. Usually, straight photography is popular than the Pictorialism. I think the reason is people generally prefer the clean focus and tone while they’re watching the photography.

Edward Weston and Aaron Siskind is been influenced by the straight photography movement-clear focus, stiff patterns and texture of the elements that they took. Also, they both make the photo with white and black filters, so we cannot see any various color in their works. This effect makes the photography to focus more about small details. Quite different to these photographers, Andrea Gursky and Uta Barth took photos in colors. Andrea Gursky is the photographer who makes an photograph like an artwork-especially Fauvism, which uses a definite color. Uta Barth takes picture in mostly out-focused ones. She uses tone and the focus mainly. Even though these photographers are similar to Pictorialists in some way, I think they’re still abstract photographers because they, especially Uta Barth inspired me to think a lot about her message inside the photography that she took.

Works cited: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/263474