Jerome Mellquist and Paul Rosenfeld, Lake George 1931

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph, Jerome Mellquist and Paul Rosenfeld, Lake George, at an unknown date using gelatin silver print. Here, the way the light falls has a life of its own, cutting the scene in surprising ways. You notice how light, shadow, and the textures of the scene feel almost like a conversation between the figures, the architecture, and the landscape. Look at the shadow cast by the veranda’s post. It slices across the image, blurring the boundary between the men and their environment. Stieglitz isn't just capturing a scene; he’s orchestrating a play of light, shadow, and form. This reminds me of the work of artists like Edward Hopper, who also used light to create atmosphere and emotional depth. Art is not just about what you see, but how you see it.