Paul Strand was an American photographer and filmmaker known for his influential work in both documentary and modernist photography. He was born on October 16, 1890, in New York City and died on March 31, 1976, in Orgeval, France. Strand began taking photographs as a teenager and went on to study under famed photographer Lewis Hine. He became interested in social and political issues and began documenting the lives of people in New York City, as well as the landscape and architecture of the city itself. Strand's work was characterized by its emphasis on formal composition, strong contrasts, and sharp focus. He was a proponent of straight photography, which rejected the manipulation of images through techniques such as soft focus or darkroom manipulation. In the 1920s, Strand began experimenting with abstraction, producing images that focused on the interplay of light and form rather than on recognizable subjects. His work influenced many photographers of the time and helped to establish photography as a legitimate art form. Strand also made several documentary films, including "Manhatta" (1921), which documented the city of New York, and "Native Land" (1942), which dealt with issues of labor and union organizing.Throughout his career, Strand was a champion of photography as a means of social and political commentary, and his work continues to be celebrated for its technical mastery and artistic vision.
Measures 7.75 x 9.51
Printed circa 1920s
Verso is blank.
Mounted to archival quality paper.