Alvin Langdon Coburn Quotes

Photographer
USA
1882 - 1966

Alvin Langdon Coburn (1882-1966) was an American photographer and a key figure in the development of modern photography. He was one of the first photographers to use the newly invented autochrome process, and his work was highly influential in the development of modern photographic techniques. He is best known for his portraits of famous figures such as George Bernard Shaw, Mark Twain, and Henry James, as well as his abstract and symbolic images. He was also a founding member of the Photo-Secession movement, which sought to elevate photography to the level of fine art.Read Less

A photographic portrait needs more collaboration between sitter and artist than a painted portrait. Feraz Zeid, January 5, 2024, Alvin Langdon Coburn, Artist, Collaboration, Portraits, 0

- Alvin Langdon Coburn

Photographer

· USA

I affirm that any sort of photograph is superior to any sort of painting aiming at the same result. Feraz Zeid, January 5, 2024, Alvin Langdon Coburn, Painting, Photograph, Results, 0

- Alvin Langdon Coburn

Photographer

· USA

An artist is a man who tries to express the inexpressible. Feraz Zeid, August 8, 2023, Alvin Langdon Coburn, Artist, 0

- Alvin Langdon Coburn

Photographer

· USA

Artist

Alvin Langdon Coburn Career Highlights

Alvin Langdon Coburn was a renowned photographer and one of the pioneers of modern photography. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1882 and showed an early interest in art and photography. At the age of 18, he moved to London to study photography under the guidance of his uncle, the famous photographer Alfred Stieglitz.Coburn’s career took off when he became a member of the Photo-Secession group, which was founded by Stieglitz. He gained recognition for his pictorialist style of photography, which focused on creating artistic and dreamlike images. He also experimented with new techniques such as vortographs, which involved creating abstract images using mirrors and prisms.

Key Contributions by Alvin Langdon Coburn

Coburn’s most significant contribution to photography was his role in promoting the pictorialist movement. He believed that photography should be considered as an art form and not just a means of documentation. He used soft focus and manipulated light and shadows to create ethereal and dreamlike images, which were a departure from the traditional sharp and realistic photographs of the time.Coburn also played a crucial role in introducing modern art to the United States. He organized the first exhibition of modern art in New York in 1910, which featured works by artists such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. This exhibition had a significant impact on the development of modern art in America.

What Sets Alvin Langdon Coburn Apart

What sets Alvin Langdon Coburn apart is his innovative and experimental approach to photography. He was not afraid to break away from traditional techniques and push the boundaries of the medium. His use of soft focus and manipulation of light and shadows created a unique and dreamlike quality in his photographs, setting him apart from his contemporaries.Coburn’s role in promoting modern art in the United States also sets him apart. He was one of the first photographers to recognize the importance of modern art and its potential impact on the art world. His efforts helped pave the way for the acceptance and appreciation of modern art in America.

Takeaways

Alvin Langdon Coburn’s career highlights the importance of experimentation and pushing the boundaries in any creative field. His contributions to photography and modern art have had a lasting impact and continue to inspire artists today. His work serves as a reminder to always challenge the status quo and strive for innovation and originality.

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