Last week I took my two photography classes from Delaware Valley University’s Center for Learning in Retirement to see an exhibit of Charles Sheeler’s photographs and paintings at the James A. Michener Art Museum here in Doylestown.

Sheeler is known primarily for his pictures of rural and urban architecture, urban landscapes and large machinery, made as a photographer and painter during the first part of the Twentieth Century. His images focus on geometry, abstraction and forms created by shadow. What is not well known and is so interesting about this show is the significant body of work he produced as a portrait and fashion photographer for Condé Nast from 1926-31, influenced by his previous architectural studies and other images of sculptures and still life objects.

I’m not a major fan of portraits of the rich and famous, but I was stunned by the many images that made up this beautiful show, which also features examples of period fashion pieces and a fascinating short film by Sheeler and Paul Strand.

Sheeler was above all a master of composition and framing, but he really excelled at the use of shadow to create interesting forms and additional depth in the photograph. This makes his images more impactful … and lovely. I was also struck by the artful use of shallow depth of field that beautifully separates his subjects from their painterly backgrounds. Shadows, the confluence of two walls coming together and other forms are used to create fascinating geometric lines and shapes that make photographs intended for magazine publication into true works of art.

Finally all of the photographs in the show are no larger than 8×10 inches in size and therefore gemlike in appearance … a real beauty measures around 4×5 inches! As I have stated several times in previous entries, I believe that smaller size force you to get up close and really look at the details. Here it is really worth the effort, as you begin to notice things like fine details of subject reflections in mirrors and windows.

Sheeler’s techniques practices can be applied to all genres photography, be it to portrait, street, landscape, or architectural subject matter to make truly powerful and artful statements … surely takeaways for anyone who gets a chance to see his photographs!

I continue to thank my lucky stars that I’m in walking distance from this wonderful museum. If you are anywhere near the Bucks County vicinity, do yourself a favor and see this great exhibit … as well as the other two photography exhibits the Michener is showing!