Poplar—Lake George 1936

Alfred Stieglitz’s “Poplar—Lake George” (1936) is a striking black and white photograph that showcases his mastery of the medium. The image depicts a lone poplar tree in a field with a dense background of foliage and a blurry distant mountain range. Stieglitz’s signature style is evident in the photograph’s stark contrasts, dramatic lighting, and the simple composition. The subject is rendered in sharp detail, while the background fades into a soft blur, emphasizing the isolation and the starkness of the tree. This work, known as a "straight photograph" which emphasizes realism, is characteristic of Stieglitz’s later work, reflecting a more focused attention to the natural world.