Cut and Fill, Diamond Bar, California 1984

Joe Deal made this photograph, Cut and Fill, Diamond Bar, California, with black and white film. It's interesting to look at the way the composition is structured by these stark horizontal lines and the tonal shifts. The dark foreground leads to the lighter, almost silvery planes in the background, creating a sense of depth and distance. I imagine Deal searching for the right viewpoint, adjusting his camera, waiting for the light to reveal the subtle textures of the earth. There's something meditative about this kind of image-making, a quiet observation of the human impact on the landscape. You know, it kind of reminds me of some of the Land Art folks. Photography is an ongoing exploration of place, memory, and perception. Artists continually engage with each other's ideas, building upon and challenging established conventions. This piece offers multiple readings, inviting us to contemplate our relationship with the land and the stories it holds.