The Rise of Art Photography

c. 1900–1950

Photography increasingly adopted artistic intent and experimentation. Photographers explored abstraction, composition, and narrative. The medium gained recognition as fine art. Photography expanded visual culture.

Oldroyd's Tour from "The Rhubarb Triangle and Other Stories" series

Martin Parr

2016

Contemporary color photograph satirizing British social culture.

Untitled Film Still #48

Cindy Sherman

1979

Staged self-portrait photograph parodying cinematic female archetypes.

Untitled Film Still #7

Cindy Sherman

1978

Early staged photograph questioning gender representation in cinema.

Memphis (Tricycle)

William Eggleston

1970

Dye-transfer color photograph establishing photography as fine art.

Untitled Film Still #54

Cindy Sherman

1980

Another staged film still exploring identity and media stereotypes.