Mountain lake--Landscape 1941 - 1945

This black and white photograph, Mountain lake--Landscape, was created by Robert Frank. It captures a seemingly objective view of nature. But photography is never a transparent medium. It is always the result of choices. Consider the materiality of photography. The machinery of the camera and darkroom, the chemistry involved in developing the image. All of these elements are often rendered invisible when we look at a photograph. But the artist is always present, in framing of the shot, and in darkroom manipulation. Frank was concerned with the social landscape of the United States. His images are grainy, contrasted, and deeply personal. He elevated everyday subjects and made them into something monumental. Similarly, in this image of a mountain lake, Frank captured a landscape in a way that reveals his perspective and experiences. This reminds us to consider not just the subject matter of an artwork, but the labor, perspective, and materials that go into its making.