Thursday, March 3, 2011
Alfred Stieglitz Revolutionizing The Art of Photography
According to John Gould Fletcher, Alfred Stieglitz was a philosopher, guide, teacher and discoverer of genius, inspirer of the machine age, prophet and Messiah. It would be difficult to argue Fletcher’s statement because it was Stieglitz who provided the essential example of the mean by which the artist could reach out to a new and more accurate mode of representing the world of experience. Stieglitz knew that many hardly even considered photography an art and was determined to prove otherwise. Through his many different photography techniques, Alfred Stieglitz revolutionized photography by opposing the traditional standards of art and photography. And since his talent was so enormous, it was not difficult for him to prove that photography was an important art. This father of photography was the man who did the most for art in America.
When Stieglitz was born on the first of January in 1864 no one realized what a genius this young Jewish boy would become. Growing up, Alfred was infused with an appreciation for art by his family and surroundings. His father, Edward Stieglitz, was an amateur artist who was constantly socializing with other artists. The Stieglitz’s family home was decorated with prints and art objects of famous artists of the day. At age five, the family relocated to New York City. Stieglitz attended several schools, both private and public. From early on Alfred was observant and sensitive to others feelings. He was also very inquisitive and precocious. He was trilingual by the age of seven, fluently speaking German, French and English. Before the age of sixteen Stieglitz attended the City College of New York where he studied engineering. While living in New York Stieglitz was introduced to his first photograph when he was nine years old. Right away he was fascinated with the process of film development that this photographer has shown him. After the photograph made a print, he began to add carmine to the cheeks explaining that this touchup made subjects look more natural. Alfred immediately disagreed arguing that this effect merely spoiled the clarity of the images photographed. This feeling remained with Stieglitz and intensified as he grew.
When Stieglitz was born on the first of January in 1864 no one realized what a genius this young Jewish boy would become. Growing up, Alfred was infused with an appreciation for art by his family and surroundings. His father, Edward Stieglitz, was an amateur artist who was constantly socializing with other artists. The Stieglitz’s family home was decorated with prints and art objects of famous artists of the day. At age five, the family relocated to New York City. Stieglitz attended several schools, both private and public. From early on Alfred was observant and sensitive to others feelings. He was also very inquisitive and precocious. He was trilingual by the age of seven, fluently speaking German, French and English. Before the age of sixteen Stieglitz attended the City College of New York where he studied engineering. While living in New York Stieglitz was introduced to his first photograph when he was nine years old. Right away he was fascinated with the process of film development that this photographer has shown him. After the photograph made a print, he began to add carmine to the cheeks explaining that this touchup made subjects look more natural. Alfred immediately disagreed arguing that this effect merely spoiled the clarity of the images photographed. This feeling remained with Stieglitz and intensified as he grew.
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