PICTORIALISM VS REALISM/STRAIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

In 1839 photography first created in order to objectively present subjects scientifically.
Fixing images onto objects, highly scientific, not heavily considered as an art until pictorialism was presented.
Photography was considered too easy to be considered a form of art.
They wanted to make photographs look like paintings and drawings to penetrate the art world, which juxtaposes original purpose for photographs.
- Experimenting with chemicals in the dark room, and placing Vaseline on the lens.
Highly romantacised landscapes
Allegorical painting influenced pictorialism
- Looks at story/parable of figures in a landscape informing us of ways to live out lives – acts as a teaching for viewers. (similar subject matter)
Male photographer emphasised erotic aspects of images, female subjects.
Began staging scenes which influenced Tableuax

Julia Margaret Cameron (1815-1879)
- Used family as subject matter in their natural environment.
- Imagery is dream like, symbolic, wings, long hair etc.
Peter Henry Emerson (1898)
- ‘Naturalistic Photography’
The Vienna Camera Club (Austrian Group)
- Hugo Henneberg
- Heinrich Kuhn
- Hans Watcek

Emerged in 1840, and was created to showcase photography did have to be like a drawing or painting.

Creating photographs which retaliate with pictorialism, and shows real life.
Creating detailed, shape, images
Capturing the world we live in, bringing up issues within society during that time period.
Social Reform – Thought their images could impact and change the lives of the subject.
- This influenced the movement of photo journalism and documentary photography

Walker Evans (1903-1975)
- Captures the lives of family who travelled from farm to farm due to forced labour.
  - During the Great Depression
- Documentary of the family – first photo-book which showcases a narrative
Paul Strand