Miss Isaacs Possibly 1894 - 1896

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph, "Miss Isaacs," using a process that was as much chemistry as artistry. Photography in Stieglitz’s time involved coating paper with light-sensitive emulsions. The material nature of these emulsions directly influenced the image. Depending on the chemicals used and the exposure time, photographers could manipulate the tones and contrasts, lending each print a unique quality. Stieglitz was part of a movement called Pictorialism, which aimed to elevate photography to the status of fine art. He achieved this by emphasizing the handmade aspect of the process, using techniques similar to those in painting and printmaking. Look closely, and you'll see the soft focus and subtle tonal gradations, giving the portrait an ethereal, almost dreamlike quality. This wasn't just about capturing a likeness, it was about imbuing the image with an artistic sensibility, transforming a mechanical process into a craft.