Photography is often described as a scientific art — one in which the artist works to create an image by recording light. Initially, photography required the use of an image-sensor camera, but today, most photographers capture their images electronically. Whether you are an aspiring artist or an experienced professional looking to elevate your career, you will find that you can look to the most influential photographers for inspiration.
The Early Innovators
Per Encyclopedia Britannica, the first photograph was captured somewhere between 1826 and 1827, by a French inventor named Nicephore Niepce. From there, the concept of creating an authentic and genuine image took off, with 19th century inventors and enthusiasts using experimental photography techniques to try to capture images.
Julia Margaret Cameron
Julia Margaret Cameron, a trailblazer in the realm of portrait photography, left an indelible mark on the art form with her distinctive approach. Active during the 19th century, Cameron was renowned for her powerful, closely cropped portraits that captured the emotional depth and personality of her subjects, diverging from the typical portrait style of her time. Her work, characterized by soft focus and ethereal qualities, emphasized the spiritual and aesthetic beauty of her sitters, which included notable figures of the Victorian era. Despite initial criticism for her unconventional techniques, Cameron’s legacy endures, highlighting her as a visionary who pushed the boundaries of photography to explore deeper artistic expression. Her contributions to the medium have inspired countless photographers, cementing her status as one of the pioneering figures in photographic history.
Henry Fox Talbot
Today, many photographers still rely on the negative-positive photographic process, which was created and developed by Henry Fox Talbot, as reported by the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum. Talbot was a scientist and a mathematician who was deeply interested in light and optics, and his research led him to develop the process that would go on to revolutionize modern photography.
Documentary and Street Photography
While the art of photography first focused on portraiture, it soon became a medium that allowed artists to capture daily life as we know it.
Dorothea Lange
Considered to be one of the most influential documentary photographers, Dorothea Lange focused much of her work on capturing images of migrants during the Great Depression. Her stoic images evoked strong emotions in those who were able to view them, providing a realistic glimpse into the heartache and hardship of that era.
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Famous for capturing “the decisive moment,” Henri Cartier-Bresson managed to turn documentary photography into an art form. Many influential photographers today say that they were inspired by his work.
Ming Smith
Ming Smith stands as a pioneering force in the realm of photography, renowned for her evocative street photography and intimate portraits that capture the essence of African American life. As the first Black woman photographer to have her work acquired by the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Smith’s contributions to the medium are monumental. Her images, often characterized by their lyrical, dream-like quality, explore themes of identity, community, and the African diaspora, blending realism with abstraction to convey the complexity of Black existence. Smith’s work transcends mere documentation, inviting viewers into a deeply personal yet universally resonant narrative, and her legacy continues to inspire new generations of photographers to see the world through a more empathetic and nuanced lens.
Portrait Photography
The art of portraiture has been around for thousands of years, and portrait photography continues in that tradition. Portrait images capture a subject in an artistic way, often trying to convey feeling and experience through a person’s likeness.
Richard Avedon
Richard Avedon earned a reputation for creating provocative images that expressed raw emotion, and his portraits were notoriously controversial, according to Picture Frames Express. Many of his portraits were taken close-up with the subjects looking directly into the camera, conveying powerful emotion in each shot.
Diane Arbus
Rather than dabbling in celebrity portrait photography, Diane Arbus took a different approach. She focused her career on the outliers of society. Seeking to uncover the most unique personalities in a community, she became a legend among urban street artists.
James Van Der Zee
James Van Der Zee, a seminal figure in the Harlem Renaissance, captured the vibrancy and complexity of African American life through his lens, becoming one of the most revered photographers of the 20th century. Operating a studio in Harlem, Van Der Zee documented a critical period of Black cultural flourishing, from the 1920s through the 1960s, with a portfolio that includes iconic portraits, cultural events, and everyday life that highlight the dignity and resilience of his subjects. His work, rich in detail and historical significance, offers a window into the Harlem community, celebrating its achievements against the backdrop of societal challenges. Van Der Zee’s photographs not only serve as a vital record of Black history but also as a testament to the power of photography as a form of social commentary, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to influence and inspire.
Fashion and Glamour
While fashion photography trends seem to shift daily, there are always those classic and timeless photography styles that photographers will always look to for inspiration.
Helmut Newton
Helmut Newton was an Australian fashion photographer who became infamous for his striking, often racy, black-and-white fashion photographs. Newton was heavily influenced by surrealism in photography, and he strived to push the boundaries in the world of fashion photography. Today, photographers still try to mimic his style.
Annie Leibovitz
Considered to be one of the best American photographers, Annie Leibovitz became famous in the world of fashion photography during her tenure at Rolling Stone. Her work was defined by bold colors and interesting poses.
War and Conflict Photography
The advent photography and the sheer power of documentary photography uncovered the critical importance of conflict photojournalism. Photographers willing to go into war zones and capture images can help craft authentic and truthful narratives of those experiences.
Robert Capa
Perhaps one of the most well-known war photographers is Robert Capa, who famously embedded himself into some of the most brutal battles during the Spanish Civil War and World War II. Most people would instantly recognize the images that he captured during the 1944 Normandy Invasion, which were some of the most powerful and moving images of the war.
Steve McCurry
Conflict photojournalism is anything but safe, and Steve McCurry proved that sometimes you must take significant risks to provide others with truthful insight. McCurry was smuggled over the border into Pakistan and was able to capture some horrific images of the conflict taking place there. He was only able to get those images back by hiding his film in his clothing.
Lee Miller
Lee Miller, a figure whose photography career spanned fashion, surrealism, and war journalism, carved a unique path through the 20th-century art world. Initially celebrated as a fashion model and muse to the surrealists in Paris, Miller transitioned behind the camera to become a formidable photographer in her own right, blending the boundaries between art and documentary. Her work during World War II, as one of the first female war correspondents, captured haunting images of the London Blitz, the liberation of Paris, and the horrors of concentration camps, revealing the stark realities of conflict and human suffering. Miller’s ability to convey profound emotion and narrative depth in her photographs, whether capturing the whimsy of surrealism or the devastation of war, cements her legacy as a pioneering artist who used her lens to bear witness to the beauty and brutality of the 20th century.
Conceptual and Art Photography
Defined by Iberdrola as a creative approach to photography that strives to convey a particular message through an abstract image, conceptual photography requires artists to develop interesting, thought-provoking images. Conceptual photography artists differentiate themselves from other photographers. Rather than capturing their subject as-is, they work to meticulously craft a scene that will emphasize the meaning of the photo. Leaving plenty of room for interpretation, conceptual photographs are meant to be considered, discussed and analyzed.
Man Ray
Considered to be an avant-garde artist, Man Ray was influenced by surrealism in photography. Rather than sticking with the status quo, Ray worked to experiment with different types of photography. He even invented camera-less images that he named Rayographs.
Cindy Sherman
While other photographers try to find subjects in nature and among people in their communities, Cindy Sherman became famous for being a photographer who primarily used herself as the subject. Her goal with her images was to draw attention to and raise awareness of the issues that were most important to her.
Landscape and Nature Photography
With landscape and nature photography, the environment is the subject. Many of these sweeping photos are used in fine art photography, giving people the opportunity to invest in stunning images that can bring the outdoors inside their own homes and galleries. Large-format photography is widely used in landscape and nature photography, thanks to its ability to craft incredibly detailed, high-resolution images. Almost from the beginning of the history of photography, artists have been compelled to document the landscapes and natural beauty that surrounds them.
Ansel Adams
Ansel Adams was more than just a landscape photographer; he was also an environmentalist who was truly passionate about preserving the natural world. Throughout the 1930s, Adams spent much of his time capturing images around Yosemite National Park, and the U.S. Government took notice. He was soon hired to take photographs of national parks around the country so that the government could use them in advertising materials to promote the parks. In 1980, Ansel Adams was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Galen Rowell
Considered to be the pioneer of participatory photography, Galen Rowell was more than just an observer who attempted to capture images. He was an active participant in the experience and strove to incorporate his own perspective and experience into each shot. Today, he is one of the most famous landscape photographers of all time. In addition to being a photographer, Rowell was an avid mountain climber, and most of his images capture the majesty and mystic beauty of the mountains.
Modern Innovators
While there continue to be endless debates about analog vs. digital photography, it’s clear that modern innovators in photography are willing to push the boundaries and develop new styles that will continue to influence photographers for years to come. Not only do modern innovators in photography strive to capture unique and authentic images, but they also work to incorporate new technology into their art to expand the depth and breadth of photographs.
Andreas Gursky
Considered a specialist in large-format photography, Andreas Gursky has proven that sometimes an artist must push the boundaries to get that coveted shot. Over the course of his career, he has gone to great heights (quite literally) to capture the images that were important to him. At different points, Gursky shot images from helicopters and on top of cranes, allowing him to capture many built landscape images. By combining large-format photography techniques with digital manipulation, he can develop striking images that have redefined what it means to be a landscape photographer in modern times. His work proves that you sometimes must think outside the box to set yourself apart in the world of photography.
Vivian Maier
Vivian Maier is now known as one of the leading street photography innovators. However, she was not truly recognized for her work until after she passed away in 2009. Maier took many of her photographs while walking down the streets of Chicago and New York City during the middle of the 20th century. She would stand in front of storefronts and windows, and capture self-portraits that also highlighted images of daily life during the 1950s and 1960s. While many of her images lack the polish of other more accomplished photographers, she had a unique ability to capture beauty among the ordinary.
Renee Cox
Renée Cox, a provocative and pioneering contemporary artist, uses her photography to challenge societal norms and explore themes of race, gender, and sexuality. Her work, characterized by its boldness and often incorporating her own body as a central subject, serves as a powerful critique of historical and cultural prejudices. Cox’s art not only confronts the viewer with the necessity of reevaluating cultural stereotypes and biases but also celebrates the strength and beauty of African American women. Through her inventive use of digital imagery and photography, she crafts visually stunning pieces that transcend traditional boundaries, inviting dialogue and reflection on identity, empowerment, and liberation. Cox’s contributions to contemporary art and photography continue to resonate, making her a significant figure in discussions around the role of art in social activism and the ongoing quest for equality and justice.
Carrie Mae Weems
Carrie Mae Weems, an influential contemporary American artist, utilizes photography, video, and installation art to explore complex societal issues concerning race, family, gender, and class. Renowned for her powerful visual narratives that traverse personal and political landscapes, Weems’ work often examines the African American experience, particularly focusing on the representation of Black women. Through her thought-provoking series, such as “The Kitchen Table Series,” Weems invites viewers into intimate spaces to confront the realities and constructs that shape identity and cultural perception. Her art not only acts as a mirror reflecting social injustices and personal narratives but also as a lens through which the broader implications of history and power can be examined. Weems’ contributions to the field have firmly established her as a critical voice in contemporary art, blending the personal with the political to illuminate the shared aspects of human experience.
Explore Your Photography Style at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
If you want to explore both the technical aspects of photography as well as the artistic approaches used by the most famous photographers, then you should consider a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography degree from Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design. Whether you choose our on-campus or online photography degree program, you will enjoy an immersive and engaging curriculum that prepares you for a lifelong career in photography.
Request more information about our degree programs today.
