Untitled (Howard with fishing pole) c. 1910 - 1912

Alfred Stieglitz took this photograph, Untitled (Howard with fishing pole), sometime in his lifetime using gelatin silver print. The surface of the print is reflective, the limited tonal range of the monochrome lending a certain gravity. You can almost feel the stillness of the water and the slight breeze in the air. Stieglitz's composition focuses on the young man, Howard, holding the fishing pole and pail, as if the whole world is caught in a moment of anticipation. There's a quiet confidence in Howard’s stance, yet it is also playful, suggesting the innocence of youth. Stieglitz captured the scene with incredible attention to detail. Think of the way the wooden planks of the pier lead the eye directly to the water's edge. It is a reminder that artistic expression resides in the subtleties of form and light. Like a painter mixing colors on a palette, a photographer uses light and shadow to shape emotions. It's as if Stieglitz is saying, “Look, the world is full of stories, if only you know how to frame them."