John Schulze 1975

This is Mike Mandel’s John Schulze, a photographic print that looks like a baseball card. I find the greyscale image with its limited tonal range, creates a sense of nostalgia, as if this was a card from way back. The texture of the knitwear and pants is palpable, almost tangible. It's like I can feel the warmth of that sweater right through the image, which creates a closeness, a sense of intimacy. There's a contrast between the soft focus of the background and the sharp details of his clothing and face. It's as if time is condensed into this single moment, and he is poised, ready. The way the figure is cropped, with the baseball bat running out of frame, contributes to the feeling of action, a gesture caught mid-swing. In a way, this image is reminiscent of Ed Ruscha's photographic books, or even Bernd and Hilla Becher's typologies, where everyday subjects are transformed into art through repetition and careful observation. Ultimately, this photograph embraces the beauty of the mundane, inviting us to reconsider the value of everyday moments.