Pictorialism

Pictorialism was an artistic movement in photography that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It emphasized photography as a form of visual art rather than mere documentation. Pictorialists sought to create images that were soft-focused, richly textured, and often manipulated in the darkroom to evoke emotions and convey artistic expression. By using techniques like printing on textured paper or applying paint, they aimed to present photographs that resembled paintings. This movement played a significant role in establishing photography as a respected art form, influencing both techniques and perceptions of what photography could achieve.