Impressionist Camera Pictorial Photography In Europe 1888 1918
Impressionist camera pictorial photography is a genre of photography that emerged in Europe between the years of 1888 and 1918. This period saw an explosion of innovation in the field of photography, as advancements in camera technology paved the way for new methods of image-making.
The Impressionist Movement
The Impressionist movement was a cultural movement that emerged in France in the late 19th century. It was characterized by an emphasis on capturing the fleeting impressions of light, color, and atmosphere in a scene. Impressionist painters, such as Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, used loose brushstrokes and bright, vivid colors to create images that conveyed a sense of immediacy and vitality.
The Emergence of Photography
Photography emerged as a medium around the same time as the Impressionist movement, and it is not surprising that the two artistic forms would influence each other. The invention of the Kodak camera and the introduction of the flexible film in 1888 made photography more accessible to the public. As a result, amateur photographers began experimenting with different techniques and methods of image-making.
The Pictorialist Movement
The Pictorialist movement was a photographic movement that emerged in the late 19th century, in which photographers aimed to create images that resembled paintings or drawings. They used soft focus, manipulated the exposure and printing processes, and incorporated elements of the natural world, such as trees and clouds, into their compositions.
Impressionist Camera Pictorial Photography
Impressionist camera pictorial photography emerged as a response to the Impressionist and Pictorialist movements. Impressionist camera pictorial photographers aimed to create images that captured the fleeting impressions of light and atmosphere, much like the Impressionist painters. They also incorporated elements of the natural world, such as trees and clouds, into their compositions, much like the Pictorialist photographers.
Examples of Impressionist Camera Pictorial Photography
One example of impressionist camera pictorial photography is "The Gossips" by Gertrude Kasebier. The photograph captures a group of women sitting on the porch of a house, gossiping and laughing. The soft focus and muted tones of the image give it a dreamlike quality, while the composition captures the spontaneity of the moment.
Another example is "The Trees of New York" by Clarence White. The photograph captures a group of trees against a bright, cloud-filled sky. The soft focus and muted colors give the image a painterly quality, while the composition captures the majesty and tranquility of the natural world.
Conclusion
Impressionist camera pictorial photography was a genre that emerged during a period of rapid innovation and experimentation in the field of photography. It drew inspiration from the Impressionist and Pictorialist movements, and aimed to create images that captured the fleeting impressions of light, color, and atmosphere, while incorporating elements of the natural world. Despite its short-lived popularity, impressionist camera pictorial photography paved the way for new techniques and methods of image-making, and its influence can still be seen in contemporary photography today.