Pictorialism Revisited Thanks to Amazing Book

[Michael Alpert]

When I was younger and just starting out in photography, I instantly fell in with the f/64 sharp focus Weston Adams paradigm and mocked the (what I saw as) pretensions of the Pictorialist movement. I'm still not a fan of the faked death scenes and other theatrical constructions but I've definitely done a rethink on landscapes softly rendered. Their soft, ethereal, glowy quality is often more in keeping with the emotion one feels at the scene than a more clinical sharp rendering can provide. All of this revelation thanks to the book "Truth Beauty: Pictorialism and the Photograph as Art, 1845 -1945". Sadly this may now be out of print, but I recommend it highly.

Anyone else have a change of appreciation after seeing this book? Comments?

I think this and the fantastic "The Photographs of Frederick H. Evans" (only $33.75 at Amazon) are two of the best books published in recent years.

Richard,

I don't have the Pictorialism book, so I cannot comment on it. I can say, however, that the question is not if those turn-of-the-twentieth-century photographers did fine artistic work (on their own terms, they did) but if we can live as artists within the confines of their world. The last century has changed the basic aesthetic assumptions of our culture. So the innocence needed for Pictorialism now seems missing, and Pictorialist photographs seem more decorative than meaningful. I don't have the answer to this problem (if it is a problem), but I think my hesitancy is at least worth considering.

About the Evans book. I think the reproductions are fine. Reproductions of platinum prints will only come out as sharp as silver prints with a lot of Photoshop intervention. So I disagree with the assessment made in a previous post. However, I think book was written in a doggedly academic manner. Evans' careful photographs of empty, pensive cathedrals are highly suggestive to twenty-first-century viewers in ways that the photographer may not have had originally in mind. This question of the place of the photographs today is not explored, and the book never rises above a simple factual account of Evans' life.

[csant]

the question is not if those turn-of-the-twentieth-century photographers did fine artistic work (on their own terms, they did) but if we can live as artists within the confines of their world.

We cannot. Wholeheartedly agree with you on that. But can we live within the confines of the f64 world? I'd doubt that in equal measure. If you say that "Pictorialist photographs seem more decorative than meaningful", then let me counterbalance with "f64 photographs seem rather sterile and uninspired". Both statements make little sense in their generalization, and if applicable to some photographs taken in that style, certainly do not apply to the masterpieces of either.

[Michael Alpert]

We cannot. Wholeheartedly agree with you on that. But can we live within the confines of the f64 world? I'd doubt that in equal measure. If you say that "Pictorialist photographs seem more decorative than meaningful", then let me counterbalance with "f64 photographs seem rather sterile and uninspired". Both statements make little sense in their generalization, and if applicable to some photographs taken in that style, certainly do not apply to the masterpieces of either.

Yes. I agree with you completely. Thank you for reining in my generalization.

[russyoung]

First I called the museum where the show is currently to obtain a book - no luck, they were out but call the originating museum they said. So I called Vancouver and they had three copies - for an astounding $150 each (given that the cover price is marked as $60) "since it was out of print." Reeks of a scam to me, given that the book is new and the exhibition stil has one more venue to go-

Found a copy on Amazon for "just" $100 and ordered it. I find the reproduction quality lacking - badly. Perhaps ten of those images have been held in my hands and the repro is way too dark and too contrasty. I intuit from other photographers' images that I have seen that their images in the book are also too dark and too contrasty.

The text on Japan and Australia is enlightening but the book isn't worth much for the images therein.

Just my two cents, your mileage may vary.

Russ Young

[russyoung]

First I called the museum where the show is currently to obtain a book - no luck, they were out but call the originating museum they said. So I called Vancouver and they had three copies - for an astounding $150 each (given that the cover price is marked as $60) "since it was out of print." Reeks of a scam to me, given that the book is brand new and the exhibition still has one more venue to go-

Found a copy on Amazon for "just" $100 and ordered it. I find the reproduction quality lacking - badly. Perhaps ten of those images have been held in my hands and the repro is way too dark and too contrasty. I intuit from other photographers' images that I have seen that their images in the book are also too dark and too contrasty.

The text on Japan and Australia is enlightening but the book isn't worth much for the images therein.

Just my two cents, your mileage may vary.

Russ Young

[Chauncey Walden]

Pick up a used copy of Pictorialism in California: Photographs 1900-1940. Another good one. Sandy, the trouble with pinholes and zone plates is that they aren't f/5;-)

[bigdog]

http://www.mcnayart.org/

The website says: A richly illustrated 160-page color catalogue, TruthBeauty: Pictorialism and the Photograph as Art, 1845-1945, edited by Thomas Padon, is available at the Museum Store. $60.00/$54.00 for members

I'm going to see this next week. I'll let y'all know.

[russyoung]

David-

Yes, that's what the web site says - but not what the lady in their store says!

Give us a review on the show, please.

Russ

[csant]

If anybody has a copy of that book… I am looking for it.

[bigdog]

David-

Yes, that's what the web site says - but not what the lady in their store says!

Give us a review on the show, please.

Russ

http://www.mcnayart.org/

The website says: A richly illustrated 160-page color catalogue, TruthBeauty: Pictorialism and the Photograph as Art, 1845-1945, edited by Thomas Padon, is available at the Museum Store. $60.00/$54.00 for members

I'm going to see this next week. I'll let y'all know.

Sorry that I didn't follow up on this. As I posted in the other thread asking about this book, I visited this show and was told the book is out of print. When I contacted the source in Vancouver, was told she had two copies at some price I've forgotten. It was too much.

The show itself is very good. My wife is a graphic artist/illustrator and she was inspired. She is actually the one that wanted the catalogue. I'm more in the "f64" camp ...

I saw the Brett Weston show in Oklahoma City (in 2008?) and bought the catalogue for $25. IIRC, I've read on the 'net that this show is still touring but this book, too, is out of print. I know publishers are conservative these days, but when does supply vs. demand kick in?