Stieglitz said we should try to turn out beautiful Pictures not Photographs

DannL. · Jun 28, 2015

Thanks for bringing attention to his article. I recall it from Photo Mosaics 1890.

In my opinion, Stieglitz was correct. And he still is. And sadly this phenomenon is no longer just an American thing. He has made a clear distinction between the photograph and a picture. "A Photograph of Artistic Value." And I must admit that I fully accept that definition, in this context. He was not referring to the definition that one might expect to find in a household dictionary. He also placed a finger directly on what I think is the cause. "These qualities can only be attained through cultivation and conscientious study of art in all its forms." How many people practicing photography today have any background or education in the arts? Without a background in the subject of endeavor, ie; producing "Photographs of Artistic Value", how does one produce such works? The occasional accidental? Hit and Miss? Random luck?

Bill Burk · Jun 28, 2015

DannL. said:
In my opinion, Stieglitz was correct. And he still is. And sadly this phenomenon is no longer just an American thing. He has made a clear distinction between the photograph and a picture. "A Photograph of Artistic Value." And I must admit that I fully accept that definition, in this context.

I think the call to make better "whatever you want to call it" is always valid. I think the article says a lot in a few paragraphs. As such it's still inspirational, whether you want to update your definition of terms or not.

Alan Klein · Jun 28, 2015

silveror0 said:
Alan, my step-daughter's husband (now passed on from cancer) had the Danish name Kleitz, pronounced as "Klights". It had the advantage that when they received a phone call asking for Mr. "Cleats" they knew immediately it was another telemarketer and allowed them the option of simply hanging up.

In your case it's not much of a stretch to imagine that you may be Mr. Clean.

Well, when they misspell my name Klien like people misspell recieve, I tell them is i before e except after c and KL.

RalphLambrecht · Jun 28, 2015

Bill Burk said:
In his 1892 article "A Plea for Art Photography in America", Alfred Stieglitz explained that when compared to English photographers, Americans lack taste and sense for composition and for tone...

and that tone is the dividing line between a photograph and a picture.

The distinction caught my eye because at the same time I picked up an English book, Landscape Photography by Leonard & Marjorie Gayton which repeats the word picture dozens of times in the first chapter ...

I never knew that there was a difference in meaning between the two words. I always worry that I am going to learn something important very late in the game. I seriously doubt that calling them by another name would change the photographs I have taken and the pictures I have printed.

But what if I had this wrong all along? Maybe all I have ever done is take photographs... and I should have been taking pictures instead.

a picture is taken;a photograph is made

RalphLambrecht · Jun 28, 2015

silveror0 said:
So, Nathan, how does it happen that after all that reading about him you didn't absorb how to spell his name correctly? Stieglitz v. Steiglitz. Just curious. At least Bill attempted to get it right by using both versions. BTW, you're not the first one to trip over this, it happens all the time. No big deal, though, we all know what you meant.

Yes,we all knowedwhat you meaned

RalphLambrecht · Jun 28, 2015

David A. Goldfarb said:
Spelling corrected in the title, by request of the original poster.

He probably used a Rollie.

RalphLambrecht · Jun 28, 2015

Bill Burk said:
No matter how hard I try I can't get it right. I have no trouble spelling Edward Steichen correctly though.

no problem ,as long as you get the German underware company'Schiesser' right.

benjiboy · Jun 28, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
A picture can be a painting, a drawing, a photograph, or sometimes a container for holding liquids.

A photograph is a picture made with a camera.

No, a container for holding liquids is a pitcher. or in the U.K a jug.

Rick A · Jun 28, 2015

benjiboy said:
No, a container for holding liquids is a pitcher. or in the U.K a jug.

A pitcher is also the dude standing on the mound hurling a ball at your head.

benjiboy · Jun 28, 2015

Rick A said:
A pitcher is also the dude standing on the mound hurling a ball at your head.

We don't play baseball in the U.K but It must be very difficult Rick to hit a round ball with a round bat

DannL. · Jun 29, 2015

If you are interested in a book that contains just "photographs of artistic value", I would highly recommend . . . "Steichen - The Master Prints 1895-1914, The Symbolist Period", MOMA - ISBN 0-87070-581-4

I would say that every image represented within the covers of this book easily rise to the level of Steiglitz's "Picture". I really am tempted to cut out the images, frame them, and cover my walls. I wonder if Steichen was influenced by Steiglitz's Plea?

pdeeh · Jun 29, 2015

They were very close associates for quite a long time.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 29, 2015

benjiboy said:
No, a container for holding liquids is a pitcher. or in the U.K a jug.

Well, you'll note I said "sometimes" -- that was to accommodate the instances when some people pronounce "picture" as "pitcher"

'round these parts, a jug is used to hold moonshine. After Ansel Adams printed what was to become "Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico", he probably poured some moonshine from a jug.

RobC · Jun 30, 2015

Theo Sulphate said:
Well, you'll note I said "sometimes" -- that was to accommodate the instances when some people pronounce "picture" as "pitcher"

'round these parts, a jug is used to hold moonshine. After Ansel Adams printed what was to become "Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico", he probably poured some moonshine from a jug.

Perhaps you should check the urban dictionary

Stieglitz said we should try to turn out beautiful Pictures not Photographs

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