Pictorialism, art movement during the later 19th and early 20th centuries, represented both a photographic aesthetic and photography’s role as a fine art. Pictorialists believed that photography was as a vehicle for personal expression and not just a means of documenting events, people, or history. Pictorialist photographers wanted to capture expressive and emotional artwork by concentrating on the feel of the image rather than just the subject being recorded. Many of the Pictorialist images of the time had a soft feel to them, graininess, sepia tone, and blur. Fog, humidity and rain also added an additional emotional element.
Edward Steichen: The Pond—Moonrise 1904
The year before he created Moonlight, Steichen wrote an essay arguing that altering photos was no different than choosing when and where to click the shutter. “Once you really commence to see things, then you really commence to feel things.” ~ Edward Steichen
I am drawn to images that have blur, contrasting light, lens flare, and bokeh. I seek out ways to create images that are expressive and artistic rather than just snapping the shutter. I love to freelense! I have several different lenses that are creative lenses that purposely capture the scene with an extreme shallow depth of field and swirl effect. I am always looking for new ways to capture images using creative techniques. I have a collection of all sorts of objects shoot through and create lens distortion such as vinyl tubing, tulle, plastic, glass, panty hose, bling ribbon, plastic bags, plastic wrap, and the list goes on! Here are some images I captured on my recent girls trip (5 of us high school friends celebrating our 40th) to Costa Rica on a beautiful private beach!
Thank you for joining us for another month at Share Six. I am part of a group of photographers who blog 6 images on the 6th of each month with unique monthly themes. Please continue around the circle by clicking HERE to see how the extremely talented Janet Douglas interpreted this month’s theme.
Join us for this month’s theme by posting your Shooting Through images on our Facebook page at Share Six and to our Instagram gallery, by tagging #sharesix and #sharesix_shootingthrough. A new theme will come out on October 6th.
Lynne GrantThese are amazingly creative Kathy, stunning imagery and tones, very calming and tranquil.
JanetSo creative and absolutely gorgeous – the light is beautiful! I love your intro and definitely agree!
JanetSo very beautiful, love the light and your intro -YES! Amazing shots!
SharleenKathy these are amazing – I love them all – the different textures and shapes that you got are awesome. It is really hard to pick a favorite but I love the second one and the one with the sunflare over the tree. Great shots this month.