Pictorialism in Photography

“Inspired by fine art, they manipulated their prints to heighten the expressiveness of the subjects and composed their images as though they were paintings”

From the introduction by Clara Bouveresse to Women Photographers, Pioneers 1851-1936.

I have found my tribe in photography and it is the movement known as Pictorialism. I already own a book about early pioneer, Julia Margaret Cameron gifted to me by a friend, but this week I discovered more work in a collection of books called Women Photographers published by Thames and Hudson.

Pictorialism emerged toward the end of the nineteenth century and it was based around qualities of photography that allowed the artists’ hand to be seen, especially around the processing of prints with many hours spent in the dark room to achieve a painterly look. Pictorialists also carefully considered the mounting and framing of their prints for exhibition to emphasis the fine art nature of their work.

I do similar manipulation in Photoshop, making my work look more like paintings then photographs and I’d like to think I put equal care and attention into the presentation of my work at exhibition.

Solo Exhibition Opens in Belfast 30th Nov

My exhibition, Looking for Light - The Heroine’s Journey opens on the 30th Nov, 6-8pm ArtisAnn Gallery, Belfast and runs until the 22nd December. You are more than welcome to attend the opening or the talk I’ll be giving at the gallery on Saturday afternoon, 10th Dec complete with sign language interpreter.