Musical Accompaniment: I Turn My Camera On by Spoon
Paul Strand had a unique ability to catch a moment and give you some insight into his subjects. It’s better to show than tell, so let’s begin with a photo of Strand himself that was taken by his friend and mentor Alfred Stieglitz. (How does Stieglitz creep into nearly every post I make?)
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For personal purposes, Paul Strand would be my nightmare photographer. His portraits are intriguing but they aren’t flattering.
But as the realist, “straight photography” pioneer that he was, Strand is wonderful. In keeping with his unvarnished style, he resisted giving his portraits elaborate names.
This is Blind from 1916.
bygonely.com
This is Man in a Derby in 1916.
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The last picture is Untitled. Is she yawning? Shouting?
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If you missed the intro to Paul Strand’s photography, click here to check it out!
old spirituals 
wow that last one is something else!
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Poor woman. Imagine having that picture of you hanging in a gallery!
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Strand’s work is definitely different! The woman in the third picture is possibly singing.
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Oh! That would be okay now. You’re allowed to make faces when you sing. A lot better than yawning!
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She may be singing or yawning. Or, she’s a street peddler advertising her wares – yelling, “APPLES!”
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She really should team up with the cute little boy selling apples that we looked at last week and let him handle the sales!
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