Songs of the Sky W7 1924

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph, Songs of the Sky W7, using gelatin silver print. What grabs me about this piece is how Stieglitz manages to turn something as everyday as clouds into something so evocative. It’s like he’s saying, “Hey, look at this! Isn’t it amazing?” The tones range from almost black to a wispy gray, and he plays with light in a way that makes the clouds feel almost solid. The texture is incredible; some parts are soft and blurry, like cotton candy, while others have sharp edges. Then there is that small, dark, looming mountain on the horizon that appears like a solid mark against the mercurial sky. It’s like a grounding force, anchoring the whole image. Stieglitz influenced many photographers, but I wonder if he ever looked at Gerhard Richter's cloud paintings? Each one captures a sense of light and atmosphere that feels both immediate and timeless. They show us how art is about seeing, feeling, and reminding us of the beauty that’s always there.