A. Aubrey Bodine's 1953 Annapolis Photo Showcases Pictorialist Legacy

This news release spotlights the photographic legacy of A. Aubrey Bodine (1906-1970), a celebrated twentieth-century pictorialist renowned in international photographic circles. The piece centers on his 1953 image, "Cornhill Street in Annapolis," which depicts the rear of #58 Cornhill Street in an unrestored state, noting that neighboring properties were similarly condition before their restoration. The photograph, identifiable by ID# 48-538, is presented as an example of Bodine's remarkable documentary work, which began in 1923 when he started covering stories for the Baltimore Sunday Sun. Throughout his 47-year career, he traveled extensively across Maryland, creating a vast portfolio that documented a multitude of occupations and activities with an artistic quality far exceeding typical newspaper photography.

Bodine's approach to photography was deeply artistic; he believed the camera and darkroom tools were akin to a painter's brush or sculptor's chisel. He was a master craftsman who consistently won top honors in national and international salon competitions. His techniques were innovative and elaborate, involving composing shots directly in the camera viewfinder, manipulating negatives with dyes, intensifiers, pencil markings, and even scraping to achieve his desired mood and design. He famously added clouds photographically and saw these alterations not as deviations from reality but as essential creative steps, asserting that he "made" pictures rather than simply taking them. For those seeking more information, the full biography, "A Legend In His Time," written by his editor and close friend Harold A. Williams, is available on the website at www.aaubreybodine.com.

The website, www.aaubreybodine.com, serves as the central repository for Bodine's extensive archive, featuring more than 6,000 photographs spanning his entire career. These images are available for public viewing and can be ordered as reprints and note cards directly through the site. The release emphasizes the accessibility of this cultural treasure, providing contact information via email at info@AAubreyBodine.com or phone at 1-800-556-7226 for additional inquiries. This announcement, originally appearing on citybiz, highlights the ongoing efforts to preserve and share the work of a photographer whose contributions blended journalistic documentation with fine art, ensuring his legacy remains accessible to new audiences.