4.2 Straight photography

Straight photography emerged in the early 20th century as a reaction to pictorialism. It emphasized the unique qualities of the photographic medium, rejecting artificial manipulation and soft-focus effects in favor of sharp, detailed images that captured reality as seen through the camera lens.

Key figures like Paul Strand, Edward Weston, and Ansel Adams pioneered this approach, which prioritized technical mastery and careful composition. Straight photography influenced documentary work, fine art, and photojournalism, establishing enduring principles for photographic practice and aesthetics.

Origins of straight photography

• Emerged in early 20th century as a response to prevailing artistic trends in photography
• Sought to establish photography as a unique art form with its own aesthetic principles
• Emphasized the inherent qualities of the photographic medium, rejecting artificial manipulation

Reaction against pictorialism

Top images from around the web for Reaction against pictorialism

• 

  File:Stieglitz-Venetian Canal.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Wall Street (photograph) - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  160806_233714_65831 | Early iterations of a quick self portr… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Stieglitz-Venetian Canal.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Wall Street (photograph) - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Reaction against pictorialism

• 

  File:Stieglitz-Venetian Canal.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Wall Street (photograph) - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  160806_233714_65831 | Early iterations of a quick self portr… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  File:Stieglitz-Venetian Canal.jpg - Wikimedia Commons View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Wall Street (photograph) - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Rejected soft-focus, painterly effects favored by pictorialists
• Aimed to capture reality as seen through the camera lens
• Emphasized clarity, detail, and tonal range in photographic prints
• Challenged the notion that photographs needed to imitate painting to be considered art

Influence of modernism

• Embraced modernist ideals of simplicity, directness, and objectivity
• Aligned with broader artistic movements emphasizing form and function (Bauhaus, De Stijl)
• Explored abstract qualities in everyday objects and scenes
• Rejected romantic or sentimental approaches to subject matter

Key principles

• Straight photography prioritized the unique qualities of the photographic medium
• Aimed to create images that were distinctly photographic rather than imitative of other art forms
• Emphasized technical mastery and control over the photographic process

Emphasis on sharp focus

• Utilized small apertures to achieve deep depth of field
• Employed precise focusing techniques to render subjects with maximum clarity
• Celebrated the camera's ability to capture fine details invisible to the naked eye
• Rejected soft focus as a means of artistic expression

Lack of manipulation

• Avoided darkroom techniques that altered the original image (dodging, burning, retouching)
• Printed full-frame negatives without cropping
• Emphasized the importance of capturing the desired image in-camera
• Viewed manipulation as a distortion of photographic truth

Importance of composition

• Stressed careful framing and arrangement of elements within the frame
• Utilized geometric forms and patterns to create visual interest
• Explored abstract qualities of light, shadow, and texture
• Emphasized the photographer's role in selecting and organizing visual information

Notable straight photographers

• Pioneers who developed and popularized the straight photography aesthetic
• Influential figures whose work shaped the direction of 20th-century photography
• Often associated with specific geographic regions or subject matter

Paul Strand

• American photographer known for his street scenes and portraits
• Pioneered use of abstract forms in photography (Wall Street, 1915)
• Emphasized objectivity and directness in his approach to subjects
• Influenced by cubism and other modernist art movements

Edward Weston

• Known for his precise, sculptural images of natural forms (peppers, shells)
• Advocated for pre-visualization and careful composition
• Co-founder of Group f/64, promoting straight photography principles
• Developed the Zone System with Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams

• Renowned for his dramatic landscape photographs of the American West
• Developed the Zone System for precise exposure and development control
• Emphasized technical perfection and emotional impact in his images
• Advocate for environmental conservation through his photography

Group f/64

• Influential collective of West Coast photographers formed in 1932
• Promoted straight photography principles and techniques
• Named after the smallest aperture available on large format cameras

Formation and members

• Founded by Edward Weston, Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, and others
• Included both established and emerging photographers of the time
• Formed in response to the dominance of pictorialism in photography clubs
• Held their first exhibition at the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum in San Francisco

Manifesto and goals

• Advocated for "pure" photography without manipulation or special effects
• Emphasized sharp focus, high contrast, and precise exposure
• Rejected pictorialist techniques like soft focus and hand-altered prints
• Sought to establish photography as a unique art form distinct from painting

Impact on photography

• Helped legitimize straight photography as a serious artistic approach
• Influenced generations of photographers and photographic educators
• Contributed to the acceptance of photography in museums and galleries
• Established the West Coast as a center for photographic innovation

Straight photography techniques

• Emphasized technical mastery and control over the photographic process
• Developed new approaches to exposure, composition, and printing
• Aimed to maximize the inherent qualities of photographic materials

Use of large format cameras

• Employed view cameras with movements for precise control over perspective and focus
• Utilized large negatives (4x5 inches or larger) for maximum detail and tonal range
• Allowed for careful composition and pre-visualization of the final image
• Required slower, more deliberate working methods compared to smaller cameras

Zone system for exposure

• Developed by Ansel Adams and Fred Archer to achieve precise tonal control
• Divided the tonal range from black to white into 11 zones
• Allowed photographers to pre-visualize and control the final print appearance
• Facilitated accurate exposure and development for optimal negative contrast

Previsualization concept

• Encouraged photographers to imagine the final print before making the exposure
• Emphasized the importance of understanding how camera settings affect the final image
• Required careful consideration of composition, lighting, and tonal relationships
• Helped photographers achieve their creative vision more consistently

Subject matter in straight photography

• Focused on revealing the inherent beauty and significance of everyday subjects
• Emphasized the photographer's unique vision and interpretation of the world
• Explored a wide range of subjects, from natural landscapes to urban environments

Landscapes and nature

• Celebrated the beauty and grandeur of the natural world
• Emphasized the interplay of light, form, and texture in outdoor scenes
• Often incorporated environmental conservation themes (Ansel Adams)
• Explored intimate details of plants, rocks, and natural forms (Edward Weston)

Urban environments

• Documented the rapidly changing cityscapes of the early 20th century
• Explored geometric patterns and abstract forms in architecture
• Captured the energy and complexity of modern urban life
• Included street photography and candid portraits of city dwellers

Portraits and still lifes

• Emphasized revealing the essential character of the subject
• Explored the sculptural qualities of objects and human forms
• Often utilized natural light and simple backgrounds
• Aimed to capture the "truth" of the subject without idealization

Influence on documentary photography

• Straight photography principles aligned with documentary goals of objectivity
• Emphasized the camera's ability to record social and historical realities
• Influenced the development of photojournalism and social documentary projects

Social realism connection

• Shared goals of revealing truth and addressing social issues through photography
• Emphasized unposed, candid images of everyday life and working conditions
• Influenced socially conscious photographers like Lewis Hine and Dorothea Lange
• Contributed to the use of photography as a tool for social change

Farm Security Administration projects

• Government-sponsored photography program during the Great Depression
• Employed straight photography techniques to document rural poverty
• Produced iconic images that shaped public perception of the era (Migrant Mother)
• Included photographers like Walker Evans and Gordon Parks
• Established documentary photography as a powerful form of visual communication

Critical reception and debates

• Straight photography sparked intense debates within the photographic community
• Challenged established notions of what constituted art in photography
• Gradually gained acceptance in fine art institutions and critical circles

Purist vs pictorialist arguments

• Straight photographers criticized pictorialists for imitating painting
• Pictorialists argued that manipulation was necessary for artistic expression
• Debates centered on the nature of photography as an art form
• Straight photography eventually became the dominant aesthetic in fine art photography

Acceptance in fine art world

• Initially faced resistance from traditional art institutions
• Gradually gained recognition through exhibitions and publications
• Influenced by broader acceptance of modernist aesthetics in art
• Led to the establishment of photography departments in museums and galleries

Legacy of straight photography

• Established enduring principles for photographic practice and aesthetics
• Influenced multiple generations of photographers across various genres
• Contributed to the recognition of photography as a unique and valuable art form

Impact on photojournalism

• Straight photography principles aligned with journalistic ideals of objectivity
• Influenced the development of the "decisive moment" concept (Henri Cartier-Bresson)
• Contributed to the rise of photo essays and visual storytelling in magazines
• Established standards for documentary and news photography

Influence on contemporary photography

• Continues to inform approaches to fine art and documentary photography
• Informs debates about digital manipulation and photographic truth
• Provides a foundation for understanding the unique qualities of the photographic medium
• Influences contemporary photographers exploring minimalism and formalism

Straight photography vs other movements

• Straight photography defined itself in opposition to other photographic approaches
• Emphasized the unique qualities of photography as distinct from other visual arts
• Influenced the development of various photographic movements and styles

Straight vs pictorial photography

• Straight photography rejected soft focus and painterly effects
• Emphasized sharp focus and full tonal range
• Avoided manipulation of negatives or prints
• Sought to reveal rather than idealize the subject

Straight vs abstract photography

• Straight photography focused on recognizable subjects and scenes
• Abstract photography emphasized form, texture, and pattern over representation
• Straight photographers often explored abstract qualities within realistic subjects
• Both movements shared an interest in the formal qualities of photographic images