Throughout the history of Photography, many photographers and artists came together, creating movements from their mindset and work.
In this article we will look at 10 of the most influential movements that helped shape the photographic world as we know it.
Cover photo - Garry Winogrand
Pictorialism (late 19th to early 20th century)
Pictorialism emphasized the artistic expression of photography, often imitating painting and drawing techniques. Soft focus, manipulated prints, and creative darkroom techniques were common. They helped photographs resemble fine art.
Participants: Alfred Stieglitz, Edward Steichen, Gertrude Käsebier
Pictorialism did not have a single founder, but Alfred Stieglitz played a crucial role in promoting and developing the movement. He did this through his advocacy and involvement in the Photo-Secession group. The movement originated in Europe, with France being one of its primary centers. It later gained popularity in the United States, allowing the Photo-Secession to flourish.
Alfred Stieglitz
Straight Photography (early 20th century)
Straight Photography, also known as the "Modernist" or "New Vision" movement, emphasized sharp focus, clean lines, and a realistic representation of the subject. This movement sought to establish photography as a distinct art form.
Participants: Paul Strand, Edward Weston, Ansel Adams
Paul Strand is often considered one of the pioneers of Straight Photography. Hadvocating for sharp focus and a realistic representation of the subject. Straight Photography emerged in the United States and later became influential worldwide.
Paul Strand
Surrealism (1920s-1930s)
Surrealist photographers, inspired by the broader art movement, used techniques like double exposure and photomontage. These helped to create dreamlike and irrational images, exploring the subconscious mind.
Participants: Man Ray, Dora Maar, Claude Cahun
The broader Surrealist movement, which included photography, was founded by André Breton, a French writer and poet. Surrealism started in Paris, France, and spread internationally, embracing artists from various countries.
Man Ray
Humanist Photography (1930s-1950s)
Humanist photographers aimed to capture the human condition and everyday life. They focused on documenting social issues, such as the Dust Bowl period in the US. They depicted emotions and portrayed people in their natural environments.
Participants: Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange, Walker Evans
The movement emerged from the social documentary and street photography practices of various photographers. Henri Cartier-Bresson was often considered a leading figure. Humanist Photography found prominence in the United States and Europe, where the works of Cartier-Bresson became influential worldwide.
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Magnum Photos (founded in 1947)
Magnum Photos was a cooperative photo agency formed by renowned photographers. It had a significant impact on photojournalism, providing a platform for photojournalists to tell important stories through their images.
Participants: Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, David "Chim" Seymour
The agency was co-founded by Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bresson, David "Chim" Seymour, George Rodger, and William Vandivert. Magnum Photos was founded in Paris, France, and New York City, USA concurrently. It has since become a prominent international cooperative agency.
Robert Capa
New Topographics (1970s)
This movement in landscape photography emphasized a more detached, objective, and critical view of the environment. Photographers presented urban and suburban landscapes with a focus on man-made structures and human impact on nature.
Participants: Bernd and Hilla Becher, Lewis Baltz, Stephen Shore
The New Topographics exhibition, which marked the movement, was organized by William Jenkins at the International Museum of Photography in Rochester, New York. The movement emerged in the United States, with the exhibition held in Rochester.
Bernd and Hilla Becher
The Düsseldorf School (1980s-1990s)
The Düsseldorf School, led by photographers such as Andreas Gursky and Thomas Struth, emphasized large-format, highly detailed, and often digitally manipulated images of urban and industrial landscapes.
Participants: Andreas Gursky, Thomas Struth, Candida Höfer
The Düsseldorf School was heavily influenced by the teaching of Bernd and Hilla Becher at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. The movement originated in Düsseldorf, Germany, and its photographers gained international recognition.
Andreas Gursky
Street Photography (20th century to present)
Street photography involves capturing candid moments of everyday life in public places. Influential photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson and Diane Arbus popularized this genre.
Participants: Henri Cartier-Bresson, Diane Arbus, Garry Winogrand
Street Photography as a genre has a long history. Henri Cartier-Bresson is often credited with popularizing its candid and spontaneous style.
The movement is practiced worldwide and gained prominence in cities like New York, Paris, and Tokyo.
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Conceptual Photography (1960s-present)
Conceptual photographers use photography to convey ideas and concepts. They often incorporate text and other media into their work. The focus is on the concept behind the image rather than the subject itself.
Participants: Cindy Sherman, Richard Prince, Jeff Wall
The roots of Conceptual Photography can be traced back to various art movements. It included thinkers in the 20th century, and boundaries that often blend with conceptual art as a whole. Conceptual Photography has no specific birthplace, but it gained prominence in the United States and Europe.
Cindy Sherman
Instagram and Mobile Photography (2000s-present)
With the advent of smartphones and social media, mobile photography gained immense popularity. Instagram, in particular, has become a platform where millions of users share and discover photographs. Through this, it influences visual trends and styles globally.
Participants: Millions of users worldwide
The photography platform was co-founded by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, and later acquired by Facebook.
Instagram was launched in the United States. Mobile photography, as a whole, gained popularity worldwide as smartphones became prevalent.
Jakob Owens