Early Photography 14.5 People have been experimenting with photographic devices at least as far back as the 1600s, when Dutch artist Jan Vermeer may have used the camera obscura to aid in the creation of his highly detailed paintings. Photography became an important visual medium—independent of painting— during the 1800s. It was widely used for journalism and portraiture. American photographer Mathew Brady became famous for his images documenting the Civil War. This was a significant visual record of the violence and brutality of modern warfare. Eventually, photography went beyond the category of photo journalism, and evolved into a fine art.

Mathew Brady (1822-1896) Photograph of General Ulysses S Mathew Brady (1822-1896) Photograph of General Ulysses S. Grant, 1864 Brady was one of the most celebrated 19th century American photographers, best known for his portraits of celebrities and the documentation of the American Civil War. He is credited with being the father of photojournalism.

Mathew Brady (1822-1896) Photograph of General Robert E Mathew Brady (1822-1896) Photograph of General Robert E. Lee, 1864 Brady was one of the most celebrated 19th century American photographers, best known for his portraits of celebrities and the documentation of the American Civil War. He is credited with being the father of photojournalism.

Mathew Brady (1822-1896)Photograph of war dead, c.1864

Mathew Brady (1822-1896)Photograph of war dead, c.1864

Mathew Brady (1822-1896) Photograph of war dead, c.1864

Edward Steichen (1879-1973) The Flatiron Building 1904, Photograph A variety of shapes loom amidst the rain-soaked air and streets in this image of New York City’s famous modern-age skyscraper. Steichen’s image is evocative and memorable; design and mood are balanced as if rendered with a brush.

Edward Steichen (1879-1973) Brooklyn Bridge Photograph

Edward Steichen (1879-1973) Brooklyn Bridge, Photograph

James Van Der Zee (1886-1983) Couple in Raccoon Coats 1932, Photograph Van Der Zee lived most of his life in Harlem, in New York City. He recorded community events and celebrations, emphasizing the dignity, pride and beauty of his local subjects. His photographs provide a record of African-American life during the Harlem Renaissance.

James Van Der Zee (1886-1983) Future Expectations 1915, Photograph Van Der Zee created a symbolic vision of these sitters’ hopes and aspirations, including symbols of the home they desire, as well as a superimposed image of a daughter they might one day have.

Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004) Henri Matisse Photograph Cartier-Bresson’s picture of the artist Henri Matisse sketching birds in his art studio captures great varieties of scale, contrast, and visual texture.

Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004) Photograph Cartier-Bresson was able to use the technology of his camera to capture a blurred bicyclist—in order to suggest movement and speed within a highly structured, geometric composition.

Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908-2004) Photograph The photographer must often be at the right place and snap the shutter at just the right moment. This requires planning, patience, and good judgment.

Alfred Stieglitz (1864-1946) The Steerage, 1907 Photograph Form and meaning are evident in the best-known photograph of this New York City photographer. We see poor immigrant travelers, crowded in below the deck of a steamship, separated from the well-to-do passengers in the privileged section above them.

Alfred Stieglitz (1864-1946) Photograph Public railroad transportation was established in the 1800s, and became subject matter for modern artists— including Impressionist painters Manet and Monet in France.

Alfred Stieglitz (1864-1946) Photograph Snowy streets in New York City make good visual subject matter for the high contrast available in black and white photography.

Edward Weston (1886-1958) Photograph Weston focused on the form of ordinary objects. He captured the beauty of organic forms in his tightly composed images.

Edward Weston (1886-1958) Photograph The natural forms of shadow and light in the desert take on a very abstract appearance.

Edward Weston (1886-1958) Photograph

Edward Weston (1886-1958) Photograph

Edward Weston (1886-1958) Photograph

Ansel Adams (1902-1984) Photograph Adams found an emotional response in the American wilderness. California’s Yosemite National Park was a favorite place for Adams to capture images of nature.

Ansel Adams (1902-1984) Photograph Adams found an emotional response in the American wilderness. California’s Yosemite National Park was a favorite place for Adams to capture images of nature.

Ansel Adams (1902-1984) Photograph Adams manipulated some of his photos in the darkroom, with much the same spirit as a painter or printmaker altering original images in order to achieve a desired visual and emotional effect.

Ansel Adams (1902-1984) Photograph In the early days of photography, a major distinction from painting is that photography was restricted to black-and-white value, without color.

Dorothea Lange (1895-1965) Migrant Mother 1936, Photograph Lange was a documentary photographer. She was hired by the US government to photograph the plight of migrant workers in California during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Dorothea Lange (1895-1965) Photograph Lange was a documentary photographer. She was hired by the US government to photograph the plight of migrant workers in California during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Dorothea Lange (1895-1965) Photograph

Dorothea Lange (1895-1965) Migrant Mother 1936, Photograph Lange was a documentary photographer, famous for her photographs of poverty-stricken people during the Great Depression of the 1930s.