Modernism: Pure and Straight Photography

 

Modernism: Image Analysis Task 

Stieglitz's approach to photography is typically modernist and as such a constant emphasis is on clarity, tone and form rather than context. 

Alfred Stieglitz, The Steerage, 1907 

He said of this image ''A round straw hat, the funnel leaning left...round shapes of iron machinery, a mast cutting into the sky, making a triangular shape..I saw a picture of shapes'' 

We can see then that Steiglitz didn't snap the shutter release to capture the rejected poverty of hundreds of immigrants refused entry into the United States. Similarly he was not concerned with the very physical manifestation of separating the rich journeyers from the poor steerage. Neither was he concerned with sociological perspectives.

He made this image because he was drawn to documenting formal photographic elements, composition and line seem to play heavily in this image, he is glorifying the subject for what it is physically, it's aesthetic form and so when viewing this image one must detach oneself from the specifics and look upon the scene technically and as a whole.

''Stieglitz speaks as a formalist...the entire scene is described as a composition... which bears no relationship to the facts of the scene itself''. {Graham Clarke, The Photograph as Fine Art, 169}

The tone of the image to me rather contrived and formal, typical of a modernist approach, it is a glimpse of life captured by a detached observer.

'Image makers, Image takers' by Anne-Celina Jaeger

'Image makers, image takers'

   Written by Anne-Celina Jaeger 

This book, made up of numerous interviews and selection of over 250 images, the reader has a 'behind the scenes' glimpse into the working practice of famous photographers. We are able to examine what motivates and inspires today’s photographers – and what makes them succeed.

I found this book motivates creative thought as you relate your own goals with those that have succeeded in the same ways you wish to, therefore it would be fair to say that this book is inspiring in that respect. 
This book is very different to your average art read, it provides a different way of viewing an image as you see a photographers comments alongside their work, a deeper understanding is reached as well as a heightened way of viewing. 

However it must be said that liking the work, and therefore the book, is subjective can be complicated by the photographers notes. Some were simply uninspiring! Along the same vein, the tone of some interviews were verging on depressing with some photographers lacking relatablility and seeming to be without the outward passion you would expect and look for in successful industry members. 

But to conclude, I did enjoy the broad range of photography featured, it gave a wide insight into contrasting genres as well as different photographic roles and as such it is worth a read, especially considering the book features such a simple but unique take on art and photography!