Photography Appreciation
Born in Portland, Oregon on April 12, 1883, Imogen Cunningham was a pioneering American photographer known for her black and white portraits, botanical studies, and nudes.
From an early age, she showed interest in photography. She bought her first camera via mail order from the American School of Art in Scranton, Pennsylvania at the age of 8.
In 1903, Cunningham studied at the University of Washington in Seattle, where she developed her technical skills and began experimenting with different photographic styles.
After graduating, she worked for photographer Edward S. Curtis in his Seattle studio, and was instrumental in helping Curtis document American Indian tribes for his book, The North American Indian.
She became a sought-after photographer after gaining recognition for her portraitures and pictorial works. In 1913, her photographs were exhibited at the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences.
In 1917, Cunningham moved to San Francisco, where she became involved in the city's thriving artistic community. She gained a reputation for her innovative and experimental work that included portraits of famous artists and intellects like Frida Kahlo and Ansel Adams.
Cunningham began focusing more on botanical photography in the 1920s. She produced a series of stunning images that showcased her mastery of light, composition, and texture. One of her iconic works was Magnolia Blossom. In 1933, Cunningham founded the California Horticultural Society in which her images were used as studies.
Later in the decade, she turned her attention to street photography and industrial landscapes. In 1945, she was invited by Ansel Adams to accept a position as a faculty member for the art photography department at the California School of Fine Arts.
Despite her success, Cunningham faced many obstacles as a female photographer in a male-dominated field. Yet, she continued to produce innovative and groundbreaking work throughout her long and prolific career.
One of the most cherished moments was when she was interviewed by Johnny Carson on the The Tonight Show in 1976. A delightful exchange between Carson and Cunningham about her assignment from Vanity Fair was received with laughter and applause from the audience:
Carson - "[Vanity Fair] sent you on an assignment to take pictures of Ugly Men."
Cunningham - "And I did Cary Grant."
Carson - "Did you consider him an ugly man?"
Cunningham - "No. He convinced me that he wasn't."
Sources:
Wikipedia
https://www.imogencunningham.com/
https://samblog.seattleartmuseum.org/2020/04/magnolia-blossom-tower-of-jewels/
http://www.photographywest.com/pages/cunningham_trust.htm
https://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/cunningham/index.html
https://www.imogencunningham.com/artworks/categories/52-nudes/
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