Light, camera … razor blades?! How photography became an art form
A new exhibition – which the Guardian gave five stars – tells the story of the birth of art photography. Here are some of the most astounding images, along with tales of the strange techniques that made them
TL;DR
- Photographers in the late 19th century embraced pictorialism to establish photography as an art form comparable to painting.
- Artists experimented with subject matter, printing processes, and exhibition formats to assert their creative agency.
- Pioneers like Yevonde transformed models into mythical beings with elaborate costumes, while Edward Weston focused on sharp, modernist styles.
- William Mortensen used expressionist aesthetics and extensive hand-manipulation of prints to achieve unique effects.
- Photographers such as Peter Henry Emerson, Cavendish Morton, Ho Fan, Iwata Nakayama, Olive Cotton, Max Dupain, Paul Strand, Alvin Langdon Coburn, Wu Peng Seng, Luo Bonian, and Shapoor Nusserwanjee Bhedwar are highlighted for their contributions to art photography.
- Their works spanned various genres including society portraits, abstract forms, street photography, and landscapes, often employing innovative techniques like photomontage and dramatic lighting.