Gezicht op de rotsformatie The Three Brothers in Yosemite Valley c. 1880 - 1900

Isaiah West Taber made this photograph of Yosemite's Three Brothers rock formation using a monochromatic palette. The composition relies on a clear foreground, middle ground, and background to structure space. Notice how the textured riverbank in the foreground, rendered in fine detail, leads the eye to the still river. Reflected in its surface are the looming rock formations in the background. This arrangement creates a visual interplay between the real and the reflected, challenging our perception. Taber's choice to emphasize clarity and depth invites us to contemplate how photography could capture the sublime. The scale of the Three Brothers diminishes the viewer, producing a sense of awe and humility. The photograph's composition encourages us to reflect on the structural elements that define both our visual experience and our understanding of nature.