Camera Recording its Own Condition (7 Apertures, 10 Speeds, 2 Mirrors) 1971

John Hilliard's 1971 work *Camera Recording its Own Condition (7 Apertures, 10 Speeds, 2 Mirrors)* is a conceptual photography piece. The grid of images depicts a camera photographing itself, a self-referential loop of the camera as both subject and object, exploring the nature of photographic representation. The grid's gradual darkening, caused by varying camera settings, further emphasizes the interplay between the camera and its subject. Hilliard's work challenges the viewer to question the objectivity of photography and consider the role of the artist in the creative process.