Welcome to the Yahoo discussion group exploring the topic of Pictorial Photography - past, present and future. In the spirit of mutual exploration and discovery, we welcome and encourage thoughtful discussion about the aesthetics of Pictorial Photography and the tools, processes and techniques photographers use to realize their aesthetic vision.

The emergence of Photographic Pictorialism in the 1880’s drew its inspiration from the world of Fine Arts to establish a new aesthetic style of photography. The romantic naturalism of the English painters, Turner and Constable, depicted views of nature, from serene to apocalyptic, as metaphors for man’s spiritual relationship with the natural world. The French Impressionists, such as Monet and Renoir, went beyond a literal depiction of a scene to capture the mood, the emotion, the “impression” experienced by the artist.

To capture an artistic vision commensurate with the sublime beauty of a Constable or the transcendent spirit of a Monet required Pictorial Photographers to master every aspect of the photographic process. Composition was carefully crafted. Selective focus helped achieve a pictorial effect. Hand made printing techniques such as bromoil or gum bichromate allowed personal control over the final image. Pictorialists created images that communicated thought and emotion beyond a literal interpretation of the photograph.

The vocabulary of the visual arts has evolved over time, and so has the art of Pictorial Photography. Today’s digital revolution provides us with even more tools for artistic expression, and a concomitant necessity for their mastery. However, the Pictorialists’ challenge remains the same: create images that transcend the literal and express human emotions and ideas as visual art.

Contribute your thoughts and ideas to this discussion about Pictorialism - past, present and future. Share your knowledge and experience. Show us your images. Encourage and inspire others.