The Cloud 1912

"The Cloud" (1912) by Alvin Langdon Coburn is a striking example of Pictorialism. This black and white photograph, taken with a camera, captures a single, large cumulus cloud against a backdrop of a hazy horizon. The contrast between the cloud's bright, light edges and the darker, shadowed interior creates a dramatic sense of depth and texture. The photograph's overall composition and the subject matter itself reflect Coburn's interest in nature and abstract forms, highlighting the beauty and simplicity of natural elements.