Paul Strand

This week I have to decided to go way back to the early roots of photographic art. I love to explore early works because often times the artists are inventing the techniques which other artist will build upon for years to come. Paul Strand is certainly a pioneer of photography as well as early documentary filmmaking. Strand seemed to approach photography as an academic, studying and deliberating over every detail of each image (especially the artist's relationship to light and unity). Strand began making pictures while still in high school around 1906. However, it wasn't until 1915, with the help of Alfred Stieglitz, that Strand became an artist with his camera. Stieglitz pushed Strand to explore heavier themes, to become braver with his work, and to further his commitment to social betterment. 

Paul Strand became heavily influenced by early 20th century painters, especially Picasso, as well as the emerging avant-garde movement. Strand began trying to balance the elements of his photos (light, form, movement, even color) much like a painter balances his/her compositions. Often times, while looking at a black and white photo that Strand has made the viewer begins to see colors within the image (eventually Strand began to tint his photos to create color, but I feel this was unnecessary). Strand was a master at creating unity within his photographs. Every line or shape or shadow is deeply considered, and I find the results to be amazing. Plenty of information can be found about Paul Stand online, and I would recommend watching Strand, Under the Dark Cloth (1989).