Paul Strand

Date of Birth: October 16, 1890

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: March 31, 1976

Biography

Paul Strand was an influential American photographer and filmmaker who played a pivotal role in the evolution of 20th-century photography. Born in New York City, Strand was introduced to photography while attending the Ethical Culture School, where he was taught by renowned photographer Lewis Hine. His work spans several genres, including street photography, portraiture, and landscapes, and is characterized by its focus on form and abstraction. Strand’s early work was instrumental in establishing photography as a legitimate art form, and he was associated with the Photo-Secession movement led by Alfred Stieglitz. Throughout his career, he published numerous books and exhibited his work in galleries around the world. His dedication to social and political themes is reflected in his later work, which often focused on rural communities and indigenous cultures.

5 Interesting Facts about Paul Strand

1. Paul Strand was initially inspired by the works of Alfred Stieglitz and the artists in the Photo-Secession movement, which aimed to elevate photography to the status of fine art.

2. One of his most famous works, “Wall Street” (1915), is celebrated for its modernist composition and social commentary.

3. Strand co-directed the groundbreaking documentary film “Manhatta” (1921) with painter Charles Sheeler, which is considered one of the earliest examples of avant-garde cinema.

4. He was heavily influenced by his travels to Mexico in the 1930s, where he worked on a series of portraits and landscapes that captured the essence of the Mexican people and their environment.

5. Paul Strand was a founding member of the Photo League, a group of photographers dedicated to using their art for social change.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Paul Strand

1. “Your photography is a record of your living, for anyone who really sees.”

2. “It is one thing to photograph people. It is another to make others care about them by revealing the core of their humanness.”

3. “The artist’s world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep.”

4. “The important thing is, you have to have something important to say about the world.”

5. “Photography is only a new road from a different direction, but moving toward the common goal, which is life.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Paul Strand’s net worth at the time of his death is not well-documented, but his works have since become highly valuable, with individual prints selling for tens of thousands of dollars at auction.