📷History of Photography Unit 7 – Landscape & Nature in Photography

Key Figures & Pioneers

• Ansel Adams renowned for his black-and-white landscapes of the American West (Yosemite National Park) and instrumental in the development of the Zone System
  • The Zone System is a photographic technique for determining optimal film exposure and development to achieve desired tonal range
• Carleton Watkins captured the American West in the 19th century, influencing the establishment of Yosemite as a national park
• William Henry Jackson documented the American West, including Yellowstone, and his photographs played a role in the creation of the first national park
• Timothy O'Sullivan known for his work during the American Civil War and his photographs of the American West during the 1860s and 1870s
• Eliot Porter pioneered color landscape photography and advocated for environmental conservation through his work
• Edward Weston celebrated for his abstract and highly detailed images of natural forms (shells, rocks, and plants)
• Minor White influenced by Zen philosophy, known for his spiritual approach to landscape photography and his teaching at the California School of Fine Arts

Historical Context

• Landscape photography emerged in the mid-19th century, coinciding with the invention of the daguerreotype and the rise of photography as a medium
• The American West exploration and surveys (U.S. Geological Survey) in the late 19th century provided opportunities for photographers to document the region's landscapes
• The establishment of national parks (Yosemite in 1864, Yellowstone in 1872) and the conservation movement fueled interest in landscape photography
• Pictorialism, a movement emphasizing artistic expression over technical perfection, influenced early 20th-century landscape photography
• Modernism in the early to mid-20th century saw a shift towards sharp focus, high contrast, and abstraction in landscape photography
• The environmental movement of the 1960s and 1970s led to a renewed interest in landscape photography as a means of raising awareness about conservation issues
• Digital photography and advances in post-processing techniques have transformed contemporary landscape photography

Technological Developments

• The invention of the daguerreotype in 1839 marked the beginning of photography and enabled early landscape photographers to capture images
• Wet plate collodion process introduced in the 1850s allowed for shorter exposure times and the creation of glass plate negatives
• Dry plate negatives and roll film in the late 19th century made photography more portable and accessible for landscape photographers
• The introduction of color film (Autochrome plates) in the early 20th century expanded the possibilities for landscape photography
• Large format cameras (4x5 and 8x10) have been widely used by landscape photographers for their high resolution and detail
• The development of the Zone System by Ansel Adams in the 1940s provided a systematic approach to exposure and development for optimal tonal range
• Digital cameras and post-processing software have revolutionized contemporary landscape photography, enabling greater control over the final image

Artistic Movements & Styles

• Pictorialism emphasized artistic expression, soft focus, and painterly qualities in landscape photography (late 19th to early 20th century)
• Straight photography emerged as a reaction to Pictorialism, advocating for sharp focus, high contrast, and an emphasis on the inherent qualities of the photographic medium
• Modernism in landscape photography embraced abstraction, geometric forms, and a departure from traditional representational approaches
• The f/64 Group (Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Imogen Cunningham) promoted sharp focus, high contrast, and a "pure" approach to photography
• The New Topographics movement of the 1970s focused on human-altered landscapes and challenged traditional notions of beauty in landscape photography
  • Key photographers included Robert Adams, Lewis Baltz, and Bernd and Hilla Becher
• Contemporary landscape photography encompasses a wide range of styles, from traditional to experimental, and often addresses environmental and social issues

Notable Works & Photographers

• "Monolith, The Face of Half Dome" (1927) by Ansel Adams, an iconic image of Yosemite National Park
• "The Tetons and the Snake River" (1942) by Ansel Adams, capturing the grandeur of the American West
• "Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico" (1941) by Ansel Adams, a famous photograph known for its dramatic lighting and emotional impact
• "Pepper No. 30" (1930) by Edward Weston, a close-up study of a bell pepper that exemplifies his abstract approach to natural forms
• "Fern Valley, Dusk, Yosemite Valley" (1963) by Eliot Porter, showcasing his pioneering work in color landscape photography
• "Clearing Winter Storm, Yosemite National Park" (1944) by Ansel Adams, demonstrating his mastery of the Zone System and capturing the dynamic nature of the landscape
• "Zabriskie Point, Death Valley" (1948) by Minor White, an abstract and spiritual interpretation of the desert landscape

Techniques & Approaches

• Composition techniques in landscape photography include the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing to create visually compelling images
• The use of filters (polarizing, neutral density, graduated neutral density) to control light, reduce reflections, and balance exposure in landscape photography
• Long exposures can be used to create a sense of motion in landscape elements such as water and clouds
• High dynamic range (HDR) photography involves combining multiple exposures to capture a wider range of tonal values in high-contrast scenes
• Focus stacking is a technique that combines multiple images with different focus points to achieve greater depth of field in landscape photographs
• Panoramic photography involves stitching together multiple images to create a wide, sweeping view of a landscape
• Aerial photography, using drones or aircraft, offers a unique perspective on landscapes and has become increasingly popular in recent years

Environmental & Cultural Impact

• Landscape photography has played a significant role in raising awareness about environmental conservation and the protection of natural areas
• Images of iconic landscapes (Yosemite, Yellowstone) have contributed to the establishment and expansion of national parks and protected areas
• Landscape photography has been used to document the effects of climate change, such as melting glaciers and rising sea levels
• Cultural landscapes, including man-made structures and agricultural areas, have become increasingly important subjects in contemporary landscape photography
• Indigenous landscapes and sacred sites have been the focus of some landscape photographers, raising questions about cultural appropriation and the representation of these places
• Landscape photography has the power to evoke emotional responses and connect viewers with the natural world, fostering a sense of stewardship and responsibility towards the environment

Contemporary Trends & Future Directions

• The rise of social media has led to the proliferation of landscape images and the emergence of "Instagram-famous" locations, raising concerns about overcrowding and environmental impact
• Drone photography has become increasingly popular, offering new perspectives on landscapes and expanding the creative possibilities for photographers
• Computational photography, which involves using algorithms and software to enhance or manipulate images, is being applied to landscape photography
• Virtual reality (VR) and 360-degree photography are being used to create immersive experiences of landscapes, allowing viewers to explore environments remotely
• Climate change and environmental issues are likely to continue to be major themes in landscape photography, as photographers document and raise awareness about these challenges
• The increasing accessibility of photography technology may lead to a democratization of landscape photography, with more people able to capture and share images of their surroundings
• Collaborative projects and interdisciplinary approaches, combining landscape photography with other fields such as science, geography, and environmental studies, may become more common in the future