History of Photography

This history of photography is designed to help students survey the greatest 19th and 20th century photographers across different countries.

This survey is not, for now, designed to provide technical training.

General Questions:

What sort of subject matter did this photographer focus on? What does that reveal about their personality and worldview?

Are there any motifs or techniques that they used that set them apart from their peers?

Is there any sort of story implied by this photo or by the recurring themes across this photographer's work?

How does this photography reveal the spirit of the time and place in which the photographer worked? How is that cultural atmosphere different from yours today?

How can this photography help us interpret the history of that time, and vice versa, is there information available about the historical context that can better inform how we interpret these photographs?

What sort of compositions, framing, and blocking does the photographer present? Is it staged or spontaneous?

How does the photographer juxtapose different textures, patterns, and forms of motion?

How are the colors, or black and white, arranged vividly?

How are light sources being used?

What is the photographer not showing you?

Is the photographer glorifying or mocking the subject matter, or just capturing it how it is?

20th century

Pictorialists

George SeeleyAlfred Stieglitz

Joel Meyerowitz

Herb Ritts

Bruce Weber

Helmut Newton

Steven Meisel