Ploughing Possibly 1904 - 1905

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph, Ploughing, to capture a scene and perhaps an entire way of life. The tonal range in this image isn't a wide one, but there are subtle shifts between light and dark that create a sense of depth, which makes me think about the passage of time and the quiet changes that happen over long periods. The surface of the photograph has a soft, almost dreamlike quality. Looking closely, you can see how the light catches the backs of the horses, making them seem to glow against the muted tones of the field and distant mountains. This detail draws me in, and it's kind of amazing how the light almost makes them dematerialize. The entire image feels like a metaphor for the cycle of life and nature's enduring presence. The photograph recalls the work of pictorialist photographers like Gertrude Käsebier, who also aimed to elevate photography to the level of fine art through careful attention to composition, light, and mood. It reminds us that art is always evolving, and that it’s really more about the conversation than any kind of 'truth'.