The Cliffs c. 20th century

Karl Struss made this photograph ‘The Cliffs’ using gelatin silver print. I’m thinking about the photographer's intent, looking for a fresh perspective on landscape photography. Back then, straight photography was a thing, but Struss added a little pictorialist touch, like a soft focus. I bet he was walking around, trying to decide, where to place the horizon line. You can see how Struss plays with scale and depth, putting the horse and cart in the upper right corner, creating a sense of movement and wonder about what lies beyond the cliffs. There are houses nestled on the hillside, tiny against the vastness of nature. It reminds me of something that painters like Caspar David Friedrich were up to, but here, it’s captured through the lens.