Surrealist Photography

http://www.metmuseum.org/T
OAH/hd/phsr/hd_phsr.htm

 Surrealism began with poet Andr Breton's

first Manifesto of Surrealism in 1924.
They saw the forces of reason blocking the
access routes to the imagination.
Their efforts to tap the creative powers of
the unconscious made them interested in
of dreams, intoxication, and madness.
Successful Surrealist images captured
moments of psychic intensity in
provocative forms of beauty.

mation from: http://www.metmuseum.org/TOAH/hd/phsr/hd_phsr.htm Accessed: 3/1/15

Photography came to occupy a central role

in Surrealist activity. In the works of Man Ray
and Maurice Tabard.

mation from: http://www.metmuseum.org/TOAH/hd/phsr/hd_phsr.htm Accessed: 3/1/15

Other photographers used techniques such

as rotation or distortion to render their
images uncanny.

Mystery of the Street, 1928

Umbo (Otto Umbehr)

Distortion No. 6, 1932

Andr Kertsz

mation from: http://www.metmuseum.org/TOAH/hd/phsr/hd_phsr.htm Accessed: 3/1/15

Hans Bellmer
obsessively
photographed the
mechanical dolls
he fabricated
himself, creating
strangely
sexualized images

The Doll, 193435

Bellmer, Hans

mation from: http://www.metmuseum.org/TOAH/hd/phsr/hd_phsr.htm Accessed: 3/1/15

Ren Magritte used the camera to create

photographic equivalents of his paintings

Edward James in Front of On the

Threshold of Liberty, 1937
Rn Magritte
mation from: http://www.metmuseum.org/TOAH/hd/phsr/hd_phsr.htm Accessed: 3/1/15

In her close-up
photograph of a
baby armadillo
suspended in
formaldehyde, Dora
Maar performs a
typical Surrealist
inversion, making
an ugly, or even
repulsive subject
compelling and
bizarrely appealing
Pre Ubu, 1936
Dora Maar

mation from: http://www.metmuseum.org/TOAH/hd/phsr/hd_phsr.htm Accessed: 3/1/15

Today
many photographers are using digital manipulation
to create bizarre and unexpected scenes

Cerise Doucde strings inanimate objects from

the ceiling, positioning these as if they are
exploding outwards from a central figure.

Information and Image from: http://www.studentartguide.com/articles/creative-photography-ideas

Accessed: 1/14/15

Lorna Freytag is a photographer, childrens book

illustrator and author. She creates commissioned
portraits, merging children into imaginative,
fantasy situations.

Information and Image from: http://www.studentartguide.com/articles/creative-photography-ideas

Accessed: 1/14/15

Some more modern

surrealists:
http://www.photographyoffice
.com/blog/2014/9/top-ten-sur
real-photographers-you-havetoknow