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Debating Modern Photography:
THE TRIUMPH OF GROUP f/64
“Pure photography is defined as possessing no qualities of technic [sic], composition or idea, derivative of any other art-form”

A group that came about in 1930 in California struggled to shape what direction photography should go in. They decided to exhibit their work as a demonstration of a new aesthetic; calling them selves Group f/64. f/64 referring to a small camera lens aperture that produces everything, including the foreground and distant background in pure focus. As a collection the pictures are in amazing clarity. Exposing every crevice of its subject and exploring the beauty of nature.
An excellent example of focus is Ansel Adams’s “The golden gate before the bridge”, 1932. Gelatin Silver Print. It was a striking piece that embodied Group f/64’s goal. The clouds contained the purest white and darks of the whole picture. In addition, there was amazing contrast into the mid-ground of mountains. With a closer look the viewer is able to see every groove, dip and rise of the mountains. I can spot clear ground, and differentiate it between areas overgrown with brush. In the fore-ground the ocean shines; showing the reflection of the sun and shadow of the mountains. Adams uses the diagonals of the mountains (on either side of the picture) to direct the viewer to the deepest center of the picture. The eyes are directed to the clouds and follow those back to the mountains. It is a circular eye motion that intrigues the eye and exposes the viewer to the wonders of the print.

On the other side of this, Alma Lavenson uses contrast to depict another scene. “Starting out”, 1929. Gelatin Silver Print. As 4 young adults push of the shore in a small raft there is low contrast symbolizing purity. There appears to be no darks, no lights just a sense of freshness. After reading the title I got the sense that these 4 men were embarking on a clean slate....