Untitled 1980

Ursula Schulz-Dornburg's photograph captures two figures in a simple boat, surrounded by water. The traditional photographic process is key here. The darkroom work, with its emphasis on grayscale tonality, lends a stark, almost documentary feel. The boat itself speaks of craft – likely a hand-built vessel. The labor involved in its construction contrasts sharply with the industrialized world. This highlights the relationship between the people and their environment, a world seemingly untouched by mass production. It’s a far cry from the slickness we often associate with photography today. Schulz-Dornburg reminds us that an image is not just a representation, but also a record of a specific encounter, a particular way of life. The photograph is both a document and a quiet assertion of human presence. It prompts us to consider the value of materials, the skills to fashion them, and the dignity of labor.