Dorothy Norman 1936

This is a photograph by Alfred Stieglitz, a portrait of Dorothy Norman. Look at how Stieglitz coaxes light and shadow to define Norman’s face. He captures her deep in thought, her hand gently pressed to her forehead. I wonder what’s going on in that mind? You know, a photograph is kind of like a painting. The photographer has to be alive to the possibilities, adjusting and responding to the conditions, the material of light, the subject in front of them. Stieglitz, like any artist, makes countless decisions about composition and tone to capture something unique and moving in Norman’s presence. It’s interesting to think about the relationship between Stieglitz and Norman. Stieglitz photographed her many times, each image capturing a different aspect of her personality. It’s like he’s having a conversation with her through the camera, exploring the many facets of her being. What did she think of it all, I wonder?