​The Straight Photography movement, an international photography movement from the late 19th to early 20th centuries, aimed to elevate photography to the status of a fine art, comparable to painting or drawing, rather than a simple documentary tool. The straight photography movement emerged in the early 20th century as a reaction against pictorialism, emphasizing  sharp focus, rich detail, and unaltered images to celebrate photography’s unique mechanical qualities .

Siskind’s work often highlights the formal qualities of his subjects, textures, shapes, and patterns. While Straight Photography typically strives for realism, Siskind pushed boundaries by abstracting everyday objects. Like many Straight Photographers, Siskind aimed to really capture the essence of what was around him. His images show a genuine connection to the physical world, turning his photography into a kind of visual exploration. 

Gursky’s work includes aspects of straight photography—grounded in real-world subjects and scenes—his significant use of digital manipulation and the abstract quality of his compositions make it hard to place him squarely in that category. Instead, he leans more toward a contemporary approach that embraces abstraction. Barth’s emphasis on perception and her abstract style move her beyond the rigid definitions of straight photography. Her work resonates more with contemporary art practices that focus on experience and how we see things, making it tough to label her simply as a pictorialist or straight photographer.

Aaron Siskind «  Stephen Daiter Gallery. stephendaitergallery.com/artists/aaron-siskind.

(26) a. Develop Ideas Through Investigation | International School of Beijing. dx.isb.cn/dash/#/classroom/945836/sections/lesson/958329/page/958333.