Paul Strand

Paul Strand was an American photographer and filmmaker that operated during much of the 20th century. He was one of the pioneering figures of “American Modernism”.  Born in New York city on October 16th, 1890, Paul Strand would be introduced to photography during his time in high school and after seeing the photographic work of his future mentor Alfred Stieglitz he would decide to become a photographer. Photographers like Strand would change photography in the early twentieth century. At a time when most art photographers were trying to make photos look more like paintings, Strand was making hard edged tough pictures of New York’s architecture and people. He felt that these photos better captured the reality of the day.

 

For many of his early street portraits he would use a camera with a disguised lens to get more intimate and raw images of his subject’s. Later on, in his career Strand would start taking more landscape shots, he worked with authors to compile volumes of his photographs into books, giving readers a better feel of the locations that he visited. Strand would abandon the hidden lens technique later in his career and as a result the feeling of his later portraits would be quite different, as his subjects would be very aware of the camera.

 

 Strand had a great interest in small communities and throughout his career he would capture very intimate photos of people from all over the world, he had a great deal of respect for everyday working-class folks, and throughout his life he always looked to capture authenticity in his photographs. Paul Strand passed away March 31st, 1976, at the age of 85 at his home in France. 

 

 

Full Presentation:  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1GJoxT8H-iP_MYGG2WyMDdBCMpPPxhIy5gsGpU3jPemM/edit?usp=sharing

 

Summary Resources : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rDyYYZiZT4vPKl-NGp9hhDxYVTAB6QFL9g006QGhSg8/edit?usp=sharing