Andrew Dasburg 1914

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph of Andrew Dasburg sometime in the early 20th century. It's a study in light and shadow, not unlike a charcoal drawing. Stieglitz coaxes out a range of tones from what is essentially a monochromatic palette. What grabs me are the textures, the way the light caresses Dasburg's face, and the subtle gradations of grey in his suit. Look at how the light catches the edge of his tie, creating a delicate, almost painterly effect. You can almost feel the texture of the paper. It’s easy to forget this is a photograph; it feels more like an intimate encounter, a conversation between artist and subject. Stieglitz was a champion of photography as a fine art, just like his contemporary Edward Steichen. They both embraced the process, pushing the boundaries of what photography could be, paving the way for future generations of artists to explore the medium with freedom and imagination.