Director

Ralph Steiner

Directing

Career Snapshot

Explained

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Directed credits

Active

Regular directing credits.

TMDB popularity

0.5

Low visibility

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Directed movies: 11Directed series: 0All crew credits: 12

TMDB ID: 939276

IMDb ID: nm0825986

Known for: Directing

Born: February 8, 1899

Died: July 13, 1986

Age: 87

Place of birth: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Gender: Male

Adult content flag: No

Career span: 1929 - 1975

Years active: 47

Average TMDB rating: 6.68

Wikidata: Q3418301

Frequent jobs

Director (10)Director of Photography (1)Cinematography (1)

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Biography

Ralph Steiner (February 8, 1899 – July 13, 1986) was an American photographer, pioneering documentarian, and a prominent figure in the avant-garde film movement of the 1930s. Known for his innovative approach to visual storytelling, Steiner's work in both still photography and film helped shape the development of American documentary filmmaking. He is perhaps best remembered for his groundbreaking films like H2O (1933) and The City (1939), which showcased his unique ability to merge aesthetics with social and environmental themes. His avant-garde style, blending abstract imagery with real-world subjects, pushed the boundaries of both documentary and experimental cinema. Throughout his career, Steiner was deeply committed to using film as a means to reflect the complexities of modern life and human experience.

Movies