Paul Strand was born in New York in 1890. When he was 17 years old, he began taking photography courses, studying under famed photographer Lewis Hine. During his training, Strand also became acquainted with Alfred Stieglitz, whose 291 Gallery in New York provided inspiration for Strand and other aspiring modernist photographers and artists. A turning point in his career came in 1915 when he began to discover the intrinsic capabilities of the large-format camera, known as “straight photography.” His photographs moved from soft-focus scenes of modern New York that reflect the energy and movement of the city and its inhabitants to sharply focused expressions of objective reality. Strand’s images gain power from their integration of reality and abstraction within the composition. Many of Strand’s works during this time focus on architectural elements and curvilinear still-life forms, subjects inspired by Stieglitz and the painter Charles Sheeler.
In 1920 another shift occurred in Strand’s career. His social consciousness led him to explore the relationship between art and politics and to devote his career to progressive causes, turning to cinematography for a decade, from about 1920 to 1930. In 1934 Strand helped found Frontier Films, a documentary film company dedicated to pro-labor causes. Strand remained an active photographer while working in film, but his subject matter changed. He concentrated on images of farmers and villagers in New England and Mexico, expressing nostalgia and admiration for a simpler life. In 1936 Strand joined with Berenice Abbott to establish the Photo League in New York. Its initial purpose was to provide the socialist press with photographs of trade union activities and political protests. Later the group decided to organize local projects in which members photographed working class communities.
In the early 1950s, due to the conservative political climate in the United States, Strand moved to Europe, spending six weeks in the northern Italian agrarian community of Luzzara and later traveling to the Outer Hebrides, islands off the northwest coast of Scotland, where he documented impoverished communities there. In the 1960s he also traveled to photograph the people of North and West Africa. Strand’s work was renowned, showing him to be a pioneer in 20th century avant-garde photography who was able to demonstrate to the world the effectiveness of art in promoting social change.
(via Phillips Collection Museum )
Portrait of Paul Strand by Alfred Stieglitz
The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep.
~ Paul Strand
It is one thing to photograph people. It is another to make others care about them by revealing the core of their humanness.
~ Paul Strand
Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees.
~Paul Strand
In 1920 another shift occurred in Strand’s career. His social consciousness led him to explore the relationship between art and politics and to devote his career to progressive causes, turning to cinematography for a decade, from about 1920 to 1930. In 1934 Strand helped found Frontier Films, a documentary film company dedicated to pro-labor causes. Strand remained an active photographer while working in film, but his subject matter changed. He concentrated on images of farmers and villagers in New England and Mexico, expressing nostalgia and admiration for a simpler life. In 1936 Strand joined with Berenice Abbott to establish the Photo League in New York. Its initial purpose was to provide the socialist press with photographs of trade union activities and political protests. Later the group decided to organize local projects in which members photographed working class communities.
In the early 1950s, due to the conservative political climate in the United States, Strand moved to Europe, spending six weeks in the northern Italian agrarian community of Luzzara and later traveling to the Outer Hebrides, islands off the northwest coast of Scotland, where he documented impoverished communities there. In the 1960s he also traveled to photograph the people of North and West Africa. Strand’s work was renowned, showing him to be a pioneer in 20th century avant-garde photography who was able to demonstrate to the world the effectiveness of art in promoting social change.
(via Phillips Collection Museum )
~ Paul Strand
~ Paul Strand
Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees.
~Paul Strand
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