Doris Ulmann was born to affluence in New York City. She grew up concerned about issues of individual worth for everyone and graduated from the school of the Ethical Culture Society. Her studies continued at the Columbia University Teacher's College where, along with many other photographers, she met and studied with photographer Clarence H. White, who was a leader in the Pictorialist movement which considered photography a pure art form.

After Clarence H. White founded his famous School of Photography, Ulmann continued her studies with him and intensified her interest in the Pictorialist style. She began to make a name for herself in New York and expanded her experience with different photographic settings. Her soft focus images exemplified the Pictorialist style and she photographed many prominent people of the day including Martha Graham, John Dewey, Max Eastman, Sinclair Lewis, Paul Robeson and many others.

Starting in 1928 Ulmann began making trips into the Appalachia's and photographing the mountain people in general and artisans in particular. She also visited the Gullahs of the Sea Islands. Her respect for her subjects allowed her to take a wide variety of subjects and she found that while most wanted to get dressed up, Ulmann was able to convince them (with a free portrait) to remain in their everyday clothes. John Jacob Niles, folklorist and musician served as her guide and assistant during each of her trips.

Her soft-focus platinum prints with their warm tonality reflected her sympathetic and respectful attitude toward people who lived a very different life style than she had ever experienced.

Doris Ulmann died in New York City in August, 1934 after a brief illness.

Medium : 1 photographic print : toned silver

Created/Published : c1930

Creator : Doris Ulmann, photographer, 1882-1934

Housed in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress

Availability: Usually ships in 1 week.

Product #: cph3g04724