👩‍🎨Women in Art History Unit 9 – Women in Photography & Film

Key Figures and Pioneers

• Anna Atkins created the first photographically illustrated book using cyanotype process (1843)
• Julia Margaret Cameron known for her expressive portraits and allegorical scenes
  • Challenged conventions of sharp focus and posed subjects
  • Influential in establishing photography as an art form
• Dorothea Lange documented the Great Depression and the plight of migrant workers
  • Iconic image "Migrant Mother" (1936) became a symbol of the era
• Berenice Abbott captured the changing face of New York City in the 1930s
  • Documented the modernization and urbanization of the city
• Diane Arbus known for her intimate portraits of marginalized individuals
  • Challenged societal norms and conventions through her subject matter
• Cindy Sherman explores identity, gender roles, and stereotypes through self-portraiture
  • Uses herself as the subject in various guises and personas
• Nan Goldin documents her personal life and the lives of those around her
  • Candid, raw, and often autobiographical images

Historical Context

• Early photography coincided with the Victorian era and its social conventions
  • Women's roles were primarily domestic and limited in scope
• The suffragette movement and women's rights activism gained momentum in the early 20th century
  • Women sought greater autonomy and opportunities beyond traditional roles
• World Wars I and II had a significant impact on women's roles and opportunities
  • Women entered the workforce in greater numbers during wartime
  • Challenged traditional gender roles and expectations
• The feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s advocated for gender equality
  • Challenged patriarchal structures and gender-based discrimination
  • Encouraged women to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields
• Technological advancements in photography and film made the medium more accessible
  • Portable cameras and film formats allowed for greater flexibility and experimentation

Artistic Movements and Styles

• Pictorialism emphasized the artistic qualities of photography
  • Soft focus, atmospheric effects, and manipulated prints
  • Aimed to elevate photography to the status of fine art
• Straight photography favored sharp focus, minimal manipulation, and "pure" photography
  • Emphasized the inherent qualities of the medium
  • Reaction against the artifice of Pictorialism
• Documentary photography sought to capture reality and social issues
  • Objective, truthful representation of subjects
  • Used photography as a tool for social reform and awareness
• Surrealism explored the subconscious, dreams, and the irrational
  • Experimental techniques such as double exposure, montage, and solarization
• Conceptual art prioritized ideas over the final product
  • Photography used as a means to convey concepts and challenge traditional art forms
• Postmodernism questioned the nature of representation and authorship
  • Appropriation, pastiche, and deconstruction of images
  • Challenged the notion of originality and authenticity in art

Themes and Subject Matter

• Portraiture captured the likenesses and personalities of individuals
  • Formal portraits, candid shots, and self-portraits
  • Exploration of identity, gender, and social roles
• Landscape photography documented the natural world and human-made environments
  • Ansel Adams known for his iconic images of the American West
  • Fay Godwin captured the British landscape with a keen eye for detail
• Social documentary photography exposed social issues and injustices
  • Lewis Hine documented child labor in the early 20th century
  • Margaret Bourke-White captured the human toll of the Great Depression
• Street photography captured candid moments of everyday life in public spaces
  • Henri Cartier-Bresson pioneered the "decisive moment" approach
  • Vivian Maier's extensive body of work discovered posthumously
• Conceptual and fine art photography blurred the lines between art and photography
  • Cindy Sherman's self-portraits challenged notions of identity and representation
  • Barbara Kruger's text-based works critiqued consumerism and gender stereotypes

Technical Innovations

• The daguerreotype process introduced in 1839 was the first commercially viable photographic process
  • Created highly detailed, one-of-a-kind images on silver-plated copper
• The calotype process developed by William Henry Fox Talbot allowed for multiple prints from a single negative
  • Paper negatives coated with light-sensitive chemicals
• The wet collodion process improved upon the calotype, producing sharper and more detailed images
  • Glass plates coated with collodion and sensitized with silver nitrate
• The introduction of flexible film in the late 19th century made photography more portable and accessible
  • George Eastman's Kodak camera (1888) popularized the concept of "you press the button, we do the rest"
• The development of color film in the mid-20th century expanded the creative possibilities of photography
  • Kodachrome (1935) and Agfacolor (1936) were early color film processes
• Digital photography emerged in the late 20th century, revolutionizing the medium
  • Digital sensors replaced film, allowing for instant image review and easy sharing

Challenges and Barriers

• Women photographers faced gender-based discrimination and limited opportunities
  • Photography seen as a male-dominated field, with women often relegated to amateur status
• Societal expectations and domestic responsibilities limited women's ability to pursue photography professionally
  • Women expected to prioritize family and household duties over artistic pursuits
• Limited access to education and training in photography
  • Women often excluded from formal art education and apprenticeships
• Difficulty in gaining recognition and exhibiting work
  • Male-dominated art world often dismissed or marginalized women's contributions
• Financial constraints and lack of resources
  • Photography equipment and materials were expensive, limiting access for many women
• Objectification and sexualization of women in photography
  • Women photographers often subjected to male gaze and societal expectations of beauty and femininity

Impact and Legacy

• Women photographers challenged traditional gender roles and expectations
  • Proved that women could excel in a male-dominated field
• Expanded the boundaries of photography as an art form
  • Experimented with new techniques, styles, and subject matter
• Documented important social and historical events
  • Provided valuable visual records of war, social movements, and cultural shifts
• Gave voice to marginalized and underrepresented communities
  • Highlighted the experiences of women, minorities, and disadvantaged groups
• Influenced subsequent generations of photographers and artists
  • Served as role models and inspirations for aspiring women photographers
• Contributed to the feminist movement and the fight for gender equality
  • Used photography as a tool for social and political activism
• Helped establish photography as a respected and legitimate art form
  • Challenged the notion that photography was merely a mechanical process

Contemporary Perspectives

• Increased recognition and representation of women photographers in galleries, museums, and publications
  • Major exhibitions and retrospectives dedicated to women photographers
  • Greater inclusion in art history curricula and scholarly research
• Continued exploration of gender, identity, and representation in photography
  • Photographers challenging traditional notions of beauty, femininity, and masculinity
  • Examination of intersectionality and the experiences of marginalized communities
• Emphasis on diversity and inclusion in the photography industry
  • Efforts to promote and support photographers from underrepresented backgrounds
• Impact of social media and digital platforms on the dissemination and reception of photography
  • Increased visibility and opportunities for women photographers to showcase their work
  • Democratization of photography, allowing for greater participation and engagement
• Ongoing debates about the role and responsibility of photography in shaping public discourse
  • Photography as a means of social and political activism
  • Ethical considerations surrounding representation, consent, and the power dynamics between photographer and subject