Neahkahnie Mountain, Oregon 2004

Robert Adams made this gelatin silver print, titled "Neahkahnie Mountain, Oregon," sometime in his life, using a camera and darkroom magic. It's like a simple sketch, all blacks and whites, focusing on the natural patterns and textures found in the leaves. The physicality here, it’s all about light and shadow. Adams isn’t trying to hide the process. The image is sharp but not slick. Look at the leaves themselves – they’re riddled with tiny holes, like a constellation of missing bits. Each of those imperfections tells a story, maybe of bugs or weather, evidence of a process that feels slow and natural. The crispness of the print contrasts with the organic decay of the leaves, creating a beautiful tension. This attention to the everyday, almost discarded, reminds me of some of Walker Evans' work. Both artists show us that beauty can be found in the mundane, and that art isn't always about grand gestures, but about careful looking. It’s not about perfection, but about embracing the imperfect, transient nature of everything.