This essay I am researching Strands’ early steps, particularly the relationship he had with

Stieglitz.

Looking at the opinions people formed about Strands work then, and the modern opinions.

Camera Work

 Interested in the art work that this magazine published as it significantly helped

establish photography as a fine art Paul Strands photography became the last work

shown in this magazine in June 1917. The issues and problems Stieglitz faced after

the war was with being able to find the correct paper because of the war time

conditions. Also reading Stieglitz opinions about the artists who were featured and

also of Strands style. The Photo secession is also discussed in this book. This

magazine was one of the major reasons Strands work first became better known, this

was the modernisation of American art. There is also a quote that Stieglitz wrote to

Strand in the final issue which discussed Strands work in detail.

Strand - Sixty Years of Photography

 This book on pages 3-9 is full of vital information regarding Strands early work. The

profile by Calvin Tomkins talking about the styles in which he photographed over the

years. This book is full of facts and images. The Early Years chapter explains in fine

detail about Stieglitzs’ initial opinions about Strands pictorial photographs, there is a

letter Stieglitz wrote to Strand which is published full of his uncomplimentary views,

furthermore there are details about how Stieglitz writes critically about Strands work

in Camera Work page 145. **

Stieglitz on Photography

 Stieglitz essays are fascinating this book is full of the varied opinions about other

photographers he worked alongside and discovered during his life, the main reason I

am reading this is because of the information in the chapters about the pictorial

photography as I need to fully understand his objections and feelings around pictorial

photography (why did he advice Strand not to shoot in this way?)

Pictorial Photography and What It Means and pictorialism

 There are also multiple chapters containing Strands early controversial images. Also I

have found the text from the Camera Works October 1916 in this book that

comments in depth about Strands work back then and how it was first described “No

Photographs had been shown in 291 in the interim, primarily because 291 knew of no

work outside of Paul Stand’s which was worthy of 291”

An American Century of Photography

The trinity of photography After discarding pictorials photography Strands new style

developed a powerfully individual vision between 1914 and 1917 this is after he

received the advice from Stieglitz and stove to change his style change completely.

This chapter tells me about the time between 1914 and ( the effect of cubism on

Strands work )
American Photography and the American Dream

Chapter 1 Dreams and Documents

 This book examines American Culture and the hopes and dreams of the American

population and the hardships and the prosperity of the times plus the suffering of the

poor. I am reading this book to try and have a deeper understanding of the era Strand

belonged to.

Chapter 4 The Sign of Hard Times

 Evens thoughts on Strands image ‘Blind Woman’ page 111, Evens opinions on this

piece is important as his views help me understand how other photographers viewed

Strands work during these hard times, they were so powerful and stark full of

condensed detail. By reading this book it will help me understand the effect the

depression had on the population and in particular how it affected Strands work.

Photo Secession Formed By Stieglitz In 1902

 Stieglitz wanted to rock the foundations of the art world and prove that photography

was part of the fine arts using his skill with the camera, he attracted leading

pictorialists of his time to unite them and to give support to each other and formed

Photo Secession with the most vigorous and original photographers of the era as its

members. It is important for me research this because Strand waned to socialize with

the group to gain experience and he strived to be the best amongst them, in my

opinion Strand felt that he had already strived to push his abilities and had been at the

top of the New York Camera Club and it seemed as if he was looking for a more

challenging group to join.

  Information about straight photography through the eyes of Stieglitz that i will have to

read thought and understand.

Paul Strand a Retrospective Monograph The Years 1915-1946

 Talking about strands work over the 50years bases talking more about the images he

per just the passion off has vision. Trying to have strange abstract principles to has

images. The study’s he did with the camera.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Paul Strand

More than one brand of Pictorialism 18 page

Edward Steichen (1879–1973

Video

Pictorialist and Straight Photography

Alfred Stieglitz - Early Work / Pictorialism

Paul Strand: Under the Darkcloth