Paul Strand--Pictorial Analysis (Trevor Berndt)

Conforming to his photographic philosophy of "straight photography", Strand took multiple pictures, not only of the inner mechanical workings of common objects, but also the direct, unaltered observance of the average American citizen. Below is an example of one such of his portraits:



Note that the mood expressed in this portrait differs from the grandeur portraitures of the earlier decades. This vivid expression of ordinary moods defines most of Strand's work. Other than being presented in black and white, Strand rarely if at all embellished his photographs with trickery. This direct approach to photography earned him a right in the seat of the council of all the noteworthy photographers of the past and of the present.