Lake George c. 1926

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph, Lake George, with gelatin silver. It's a study in light and shadow, where the sky isn't just a backdrop but a living, breathing character. Look at how the clouds churn and roil, almost like thick impasto in a painting! The tonal range is incredible, from the deepest blacks to delicate grays. It's as though Stieglitz is coaxing the light itself to reveal hidden textures. There is one small collection of cumulus clouds in the middle of the composition which seem to be lit from behind. This isolated patch of cloud acts as a focal point and a gentle reminder of light in the darkness. This image reminds me of the drama you get with a Turner painting, but through a totally different medium. You know, art isn't about answers, it’s about conversations, and Stieglitz here is definitely in dialogue with the painters of his time.