Equivalent 1927

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph, titled Equivalent, using gelatin silver print. It's basically a picture of clouds, but the real subject is mood. Stieglitz's approach here feels intuitive, almost like automatic drawing. The tones range from deep blacks to luminous whites, creating a strong contrast that emphasizes the texture and form of the clouds. Look closely and you can see how the light catches the edges of the clouds, giving them a sculptural quality. There is a certain dynamism, they’re not just passive objects but active participants in a visual drama. This reminds me of the work of Georgia O'Keeffe, who was of course very close to Stieglitz. Like O’Keeffe, Stieglitz transforms a natural motif into something deeply personal and evocative. He shows how art can be about feeling and experience, rather than just representation.