Minor White (1908-1976) was an American photographer, poet, and editor known for his creative and spiritual approach to photography. He studied botany and aesthetics in university and practiced photography for over 40 years. White believed photographs should reveal the inner lives and perspectives of their makers. He was influenced by photographers like Stieglitz and Steichen but developed his own distinctive style. White taught photography at several institutions and his spiritual outlook influenced many students. He is now recognized as one of America's greatest photographers.

1. (1908-1976)
Narissa Navarro

2. Biography of Minor White
 White was born on July 9,
1908 in Minneapolis,
Minnesota, and died June
24, 1976 in Massachusetts.
 He was an American
photographer, poet, and
editor who was recognized
by expressing his
photography in a creative
perspective.

3. Cont.
 Minor picked up photography at a
young age, but at age 29, he started to
take things more seriously.
 Although White picked up photography
at a young, his major hobbies were
poetry.

4. His Photography
 In 1938 he moved to Oregon starting his
photography career working for The
Works Progress Administration
 Some of Whites photography was shown
at The Museum of Modern Art, in New
York City, 1941.
 He had been practicing photography for
more than 40 years.

5. "As I become
more in
harmony with
the world
around,
through, and in
me, the
varieties of
time weave

6. Beliefs
 White believed the moral
of photography is not only
to reveal what the camera
captures but that the
image reveals the inner
lives of their makers.
 Photography in Whites
perspective was more like
a religion, and his
teaching and writing
influenced his spirituality.
“One should not only photograph things for what they
are, but for what else they are.”

7. His Influences
 White was fascinated by
Stieglitz, influenced by Edward
Steichen, and inspired by Ansel Adams;
White found his own distinctive style of
photography, directing others to their
own unique ideas.

8. Quotes
"When I look at
pictures I have
made, I have
forgotten what I
saw in front of
the camera and
respond only to
what I am
seeing in the

10. Famous Photos
Road with Popular Trees Barn and Clouds
Dansville, New York, 1955 Dansville, New York, 1955

11. His Studies
 White studied at the University of
Minnesota; majoring in English, and
earning a degree in Botany.
 Studying art history and aesthetics at
Columbia University for two years,
beginning his photography career.
 White practiced photography for more
than 40 years, along with teaching for
MIT for the last ten years of his life.

12. Photos
What makes this photo
fall together is the
symmetry of the
branch. The tonal
contrast of the
photo, with the white
of the crashing of the
waves to the shadow
on the branch, is what
makes it a great photo.

13. ‘Frost on Window’
What makes this photo
work is the tonal contrast,
the white of the snow and
the darkness of the
window. Symmetry,
nothing is unbalanced. And
great composition.

14. Minor White
 In 1946 to 1953, moving to the West Coast,
White joined the California School of Fine
Arts
 Then from there, in 1953, White worked as a
curator for The George Eastman House.
 From 1956 to 1964, White taught at the
Rochester Institute of Technology.
 White taught for 5 different institutions such
as MIT and RIT, also being editor for 3
magazines.

15. “Let the subject generate its own photographs.
Become a camera.”
This photo uses rule of thirds. From the
white from the clouds against the black
sky, giving off tonal range and contrast.

16. His Death
 After Minor Whites
death, White was
named one of
America’s greatest
photographers. His
influences by his
spirituality in
photography.
“No matter how slow the film, spirit always stands
still long enough for the photographer it has chosen.”

17. Who he Influenced
 Minor White, with his careers of teaching
at institutions, he influenced many of his
students. White also, not only influenced
his students, but many other
photographers.

18. “I’m always mentally
photographing
everything as
practice.”
- Minor White

19. Works Cited
Minor White Biography. Member of The Association of International
Photography Art Dealers. Nine Mount Vernon. 2012. Web. 15
March 2013
A Poetic Photographer. Dezign Matterz. 19 Febuary 2010.
Web. 16 March 2013.
Photography View; Minor White’s Quest for Symbolic Significance. Andy
Grundberg. April 30, 1989. Web. 17 March 2013
Aperture. Aperture Foundation. August 7th. 2012. Web. 18 March 2013
The Minor White Experience. Randi. Watermark Template. Blogger. March 15,
2012. Web. 18 March 2013