Pictorialism - Soft focus and alternate processes

[ImSoNegative]

I really enjoy looking at sf images, especially portraiture, just something about it. I posted this in the portraits section the other day and plan on printing it this weekend

Darla5 by john golden, on Flickr

[photojeff3200]

That paragraph from Ernest J Theisen seems right Randy. I guess it's the same principle as using carbon tissue since it's basically gelatin covered paper though not colored.

[LeeSimmons]

John,

Beautiful execution!

I took a look at the flickr page, love the bench as well.

[ImSoNegative]

thanks Lee, that bench was shot using the 8x10 and 200mm imagon I was wanting to see if it would cover the format, wouldn't be good for portraits I don't think but perhaps it would work for some still lifes

[angusparker]

I have two sf lenses and have been exploring my vision with them. Wandering through history most of my favorite soft focus images are from the pictorialism era. It appears the combination of soft focus and grain/contrast during development created that wonderful style of image know of the movement at that time. During the transition to modernism the usage and soft focus has steadily declined. There are beautiful samples on this site from photographers like Gandolfi/JP and Gali who combine the lens and process to great effect.

Nocturne by Karl Struss http://www.cartermuseum.org/artworks/297
Brooklyn Bridge, by Edward Steichen 1903 http://www.flickriver.com/photos/pho...us/4789322126/

Both these samples are beautiful minimalist images.

Do sf images require the alt processes to move you?

What are you favorite alternate processes for soft focus landscape or people images?

For those of you practicing these combinations do you feel like your paying homage to the past or have simply found your chosen medium of expression?

I welcome any discussion or thoughts you may have.

Regards Lee Simmons

Highly recommend Pt/Pd process. Quite easy to do with minimal equipment and only a dim room. Best Angus

[mdarnton]

Did someone earlier in the thread recommend the book Impressionist Camera - Pictorial Photography in Europe, 1888-1918? Because of that, or reading a post somewhere else, I bought the book and have been reading it. It's not just of a picture book, though it does have them. The bulk of it is essays on pictorialism, and I'm finding them fascinating. I'm seeing pictorialism as more of a movement than a style at the moment. Good read, anyway, for those of you who read.

By the way, Durr, your dancers photo is epic!

[jp]

I'd been eyeing that book but hadn't pulled the trigger on it. Then it got mentioned I think on "Art of Photography" youtube channel. After that, the price has been too high for me. (I do plenty of reading on photography too.)

Yes, Durr's photo is excellent!

[ScottPhotoCo]

Approaching digital "pictorialism" ... not quite there yet, but still trying.Attachment 144837

This is fantastic. Frame worthy for sure!

[Toyon]

Pictorialism was an inseparable product of its time and sensibility. I have seen a lot of soft-focus work from recent decades, but it is all nostalgic kitsch. Art moves forward.

[photojeff3200]

Artistic styles, like fashion find there way back to the main stream. Pictoralism is alive and well and incorporating itself into our modern time. Check out the amazingly beautiful game LIMBO and the wonderful photographs of Rocky Schenck.