History of Photography

📷History of Photography Unit 7 – Landscape & Nature in Photography

Landscape photography emerged in the mid-19th century, capturing the beauty of nature and documenting unexplored territories. Pioneers like Ansel Adams and Carleton Watkins influenced conservation efforts, while technological advancements expanded creative possibilities. The genre evolved through various artistic movements, from Pictorialism to Modernism. Contemporary landscape photographers address environmental issues and explore new techniques, using drones and digital editing to push boundaries and raise awareness about our changing world.

Key Figures & Pioneers

  • Ansel Adams renowned for his black-and-white landscapes of the American West (Yosemite National Park) and instrumental in the development of the Zone System
    • The Zone System is a photographic technique for determining optimal film exposure and development to achieve desired tonal range
  • Carleton Watkins captured the American West in the 19th century, influencing the establishment of Yosemite as a national park
  • William Henry Jackson documented the American West, including Yellowstone, and his photographs played a role in the creation of the first national park
  • Timothy O'Sullivan known for his work during the American Civil War and his photographs of the American West during the 1860s and 1870s
  • Eliot Porter pioneered color landscape photography and advocated for environmental conservation through his work
  • Edward Weston celebrated for his abstract and highly detailed images of natural forms (shells, rocks, and plants)
  • Minor White influenced by Zen philosophy, known for his spiritual approach to landscape photography and his teaching at the California School of Fine Arts

Historical Context

  • Landscape photography emerged in the mid-19th century, coinciding with the invention of the daguerreotype and the rise of photography as a medium
  • The American West exploration and surveys (U.S. Geological Survey) in the late 19th century provided opportunities for photographers to document the region's landscapes
  • The establishment of national parks (Yosemite in 1864, Yellowstone in 1872) and the conservation movement fueled interest in landscape photography
  • Pictorialism, a movement emphasizing artistic expression over technical perfection, influenced early 20th-century landscape photography
  • Modernism in the early to mid-20th century saw a shift towards sharp focus, high contrast, and abstraction in landscape photography
  • The environmental movement of the 1960s and 1970s led to a renewed interest in landscape photography as a means of raising awareness about conservation issues
  • Digital photography and advances in post-processing techniques have transformed contemporary landscape photography

Technological Developments

  • The invention of the daguerreotype in 1839 marked the beginning of photography and enabled early landscape photographers to capture images
  • Wet plate collodion process introduced in the 1850s allowed for shorter exposure times and the creation of glass plate negatives
  • Dry plate negatives and roll film in the late 19th century made photography more portable and accessible for landscape photographers
  • The introduction of color film (Autochrome plates) in the early 20th century expanded the possibilities for landscape photography
  • Large format cameras (4x5 and 8x10) have been widely used by landscape photographers for their high resolution and detail
  • The development of the Zone System by Ansel Adams in the 1940s provided a systematic approach to exposure and development for optimal tonal range
  • Digital cameras and post-processing software have revolutionized contemporary landscape photography, enabling greater control over the final image

Artistic Movements & Styles

  • Pictorialism emphasized artistic expression, soft focus, and painterly qualities in landscape photography (late 19th to early 20th century)
  • Straight photography emerged as a reaction to Pictorialism, advocating for sharp focus, high contrast, and an emphasis on the inherent qualities of the photographic medium
  • Modernism in landscape photography embraced abstraction, geometric forms, and a departure from traditional representational approaches
  • The f/64 Group (Ansel Adams, Edward Weston, Imogen Cunningham) promoted sharp focus, high contrast, and a "pure" approach to photography
  • The New Topographics movement of the 1970s focused on human-altered landscapes and challenged traditional notions of beauty in landscape photography
    • Key photographers included Robert Adams, Lewis Baltz, and Bernd and Hilla Becher
  • Contemporary landscape photography encompasses a wide range of styles, from traditional to experimental, and often addresses environmental and social issues

Notable Works & Photographers

  • "Monolith, The Face of Half Dome" (1927) by Ansel Adams, an iconic image of Yosemite National Park
  • "The Tetons and the Snake River" (1942) by Ansel Adams, capturing the grandeur of the American West
  • "Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico" (1941) by Ansel Adams, a famous photograph known for its dramatic lighting and emotional impact
  • "Pepper No. 30" (1930) by Edward Weston, a close-up study of a bell pepper that exemplifies his abstract approach to natural forms
  • "Fern Valley, Dusk, Yosemite Valley" (1963) by Eliot Porter, showcasing his pioneering work in color landscape photography
  • "Clearing Winter Storm, Yosemite National Park" (1944) by Ansel Adams, demonstrating his mastery of the Zone System and capturing the dynamic nature of the landscape
  • "Zabriskie Point, Death Valley" (1948) by Minor White, an abstract and spiritual interpretation of the desert landscape

Techniques & Approaches

  • Composition techniques in landscape photography include the rule of thirds, leading lines, and framing to create visually compelling images
  • The use of filters (polarizing, neutral density, graduated neutral density) to control light, reduce reflections, and balance exposure in landscape photography
  • Long exposures can be used to create a sense of motion in landscape elements such as water and clouds
  • High dynamic range (HDR) photography involves combining multiple exposures to capture a wider range of tonal values in high-contrast scenes
  • Focus stacking is a technique that combines multiple images with different focus points to achieve greater depth of field in landscape photographs
  • Panoramic photography involves stitching together multiple images to create a wide, sweeping view of a landscape
  • Aerial photography, using drones or aircraft, offers a unique perspective on landscapes and has become increasingly popular in recent years

Environmental & Cultural Impact

  • Landscape photography has played a significant role in raising awareness about environmental conservation and the protection of natural areas
  • Images of iconic landscapes (Yosemite, Yellowstone) have contributed to the establishment and expansion of national parks and protected areas
  • Landscape photography has been used to document the effects of climate change, such as melting glaciers and rising sea levels
  • Cultural landscapes, including man-made structures and agricultural areas, have become increasingly important subjects in contemporary landscape photography
  • Indigenous landscapes and sacred sites have been the focus of some landscape photographers, raising questions about cultural appropriation and the representation of these places
  • Landscape photography has the power to evoke emotional responses and connect viewers with the natural world, fostering a sense of stewardship and responsibility towards the environment
  • The rise of social media has led to the proliferation of landscape images and the emergence of "Instagram-famous" locations, raising concerns about overcrowding and environmental impact
  • Drone photography has become increasingly popular, offering new perspectives on landscapes and expanding the creative possibilities for photographers
  • Computational photography, which involves using algorithms and software to enhance or manipulate images, is being applied to landscape photography
  • Virtual reality (VR) and 360-degree photography are being used to create immersive experiences of landscapes, allowing viewers to explore environments remotely
  • Climate change and environmental issues are likely to continue to be major themes in landscape photography, as photographers document and raise awareness about these challenges
  • The increasing accessibility of photography technology may lead to a democratization of landscape photography, with more people able to capture and share images of their surroundings
  • Collaborative projects and interdisciplinary approaches, combining landscape photography with other fields such as science, geography, and environmental studies, may become more common in the future


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.