Modernist Photography.

Modernism in photography was a general term for a new trend that was emerging in the early 1900's towards images with a sharp focus that showed what the camera could do without extensive manipulation.  Also referred to as Modernist Photography, this approach moved away from Pictorialist approach that had dominated for the past 50 years.

Critic and poet,  Sadakichi Hartman's 1904 "Plea fot a Straight Photography" heralded this new approach rejecting the soft focus and painterly approach of Pictorialism and praising the straightforward images of modern life in the works of photographers like Alfred Stieglitz.

 

 

This image 'The Steerage 1907', by Stieglitz is one of the best known images  emphasising this new direction in photography.

 

 

 

Soon after other innovators of the time Paul Strand and Edward Weston would further expand the artistic capabilities and techniques of photography.  The following are some of the best examples of their work.

 

Paul Strand. Wall Street 1915.

 

Paul Strand. Blind Woman 1916.

 

 

 

Edward Weston's series of nudes

 

 

Weston was also celebrated for his series of Natural Studies

 

 

 

 

 

And one my favourite images.

Edward Westons.  Pepper 1930.

This is one image that should have never been given a title.