Art & Media Studies

Investigating the Concept of Style in Photography with Emphasis on the Pictorialism Movement

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD student of Art Research, Faculty of Arts, Shahid University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor of Photography, Faculty of Visual Arts, University of Art, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

This research, descriptively-analytically and using the theories of philosophers in this field, in search of a definition of style in photography, first deals with the importance of achieving a stylistic system and examines the need to know the style of different artworks. Then the style is divided using the theory of psychological reality into two categories: general style and individual style. In the continuation of these analyzes, a detailed definition of both types of style in a general and personal context is explained. According to the theory of psychological reality, although the general style has no way into the spiritual workings of artists, it is not devoid of concept and plays an essential role in the interpretation of works and allows the correct understanding of images in the art historical context. Looking to reach a precise definition of the concept of individual style, the reports provided based on the emphasis on various components such as form, concept, subject, and features of the work are examined. Finally, it is concluded that individual style is influenced by psychological reality and has an inner and deeper relationship with the artist. Eventually, by examining each region’s general style in pictorial photography, the factors affecting its emergence were identified. It was also concluded that the photographer’s psychological reality influences individual photography style.

Keywords

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Art & Media Studies
Volume 4, Issue 7 - Serial Number 7
October 2022
Pages 99-126
  • Receive Date: 24 November 2021
  • Revise Date: 23 February 2022
  • Accept Date: 23 February 2022