The Choice Of Stephen Shore 's Urban Landscape Photography And Its Epoch Significance

In 1970s, Stephen Shore (1947-) turned his lens to urban landscape. In his Uncommon Places, Shore explored new possibilities of photography into urban landscape. He used a view camera to restructure the complex real-life scenarios, visualizing the man-made landscape and adding an artistic touch. This is the achievement that Shore contributed to urban landscape photography.Ansel Adams (1902-1984) was a recognized master of black and white landscape photography in the 20th century. In Western United States, Adams took many pictures about spectacular natural scenery. Although Adams’ expression for natural sometimes went exaggerated, he won the public’s favor, and his influence still remains now. However, Shore’s urban landscape presents in a calm and objective manner. He changed Ansel Adams’ focus on natural beauty, and expressed the photographer’s personal aspiration by using techniques, which implies the embrace and critique for popular culture. Shore’s work is an important turning point in the history of urban landscape photography. This means the "modern" photography began paying more attention to humans themselves, rather than nature itself.What factors affected Shore’s photographing style? How does his work’s aesthetic value reflect itself? The essay is trying to discuss these topics.