Scranton & Lehigh Coal Co. 1918

Editor: Here we have "Scranton & Lehigh Coal Co.," a gelatin silver print photograph from 1918. The industrial architecture and vintage vehicles give the image an austere feel. I'm immediately drawn to the strong vertical lines and the contrast between the solidity of the buildings and the grainy sky. What formal elements stand out to you in this piece? Curator: The interplay of light and shadow across the architectural forms is quite compelling. Notice how the photographer uses light to emphasize the geometric shapes. The facade becomes a study in planar surfaces, and we might read the receding planes of the buildings to represent an effort to capture spatial depth using a two-dimensional medium. Consider how the various structures create a hierarchy within the composition itself. Editor: The way the signage is integrated into the architecture is also fascinating. Does the text function primarily as a representational element, or something more? Curator: Indeed. We can see it as another planar component that helps the photograph convey information to its viewers. Further, the deliberate cropping that results in such symmetry is indicative of Modernist aesthetic priorities; can you identify a principle that the photographer employed when deciding what to crop and what to leave intact? Editor: Perhaps the choice was made so that it could resemble the cityscapes emerging in paintings? The text also serves as an indicator of cultural concerns in 1918. Thinking about the formal structure of the image, how does it convey meaning beyond the representational level? Curator: An astute question. The photographer skillfully guides the viewer's gaze using sharp lines to reveal the logic of geometric form while creating contrast and texture across the planar surfaces of the facade. Thank you for highlighting the dynamic interplay between content and composition; it opens a world of possibilities.