Untitled c. 1971 - 1975

This image, by Sally Mann, looks like it was captured with an old camera, maybe even a large format one. The light is so dramatic, and the values range from soft, hazy grays to deep, rich blacks. It makes you think about how photography, at its heart, is all about capturing light. The texture in this print is wonderful. Look at the way the light filters through the clouds, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. And then there's the landscape itself, with its rolling hills and distant mountains. It's like you can almost feel the cool air on your skin. Notice how the light seems to pool in the valley, drawing your eye into the heart of the image. It's a beautiful, almost romantic effect. Thinking about other artists, this photograph puts me in mind of some of the American landscape painters like George Inness, with their dreamy, atmospheric vistas. But Mann brings a contemporary sensibility to the genre, a sense of rawness and intimacy that feels very much of our time. It’s less about what’s depicted and more about how it feels.