Donald Davidson c. 1920

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph, "Donald Davidson," using gelatin silver. I love the subtle tonality of this portrait, it reminds me of the way Gerhard Richter would reproduce his blurred photographic paintings. It’s moody, thoughtful, and has an incredibly intimate feel. You can tell Stieglitz has spent time with his subject. I imagine them talking for hours, Davidson becoming more and more relaxed in front of the lens. The softness of the image makes me want to touch it. Stieglitz manages to capture Davidson in a way that feels both revealing and protective. His expression seems to hold a wealth of thoughts and emotions. The photograph feels like an invitation to contemplate the inner life of the sitter, as though Stieglitz knew him and was trying to capture his essence. Photographers like Stieglitz make other artists like me want to dig deeper, experiment more, and really engage with our subjects. It's all about having a conversation.