The Landing of the Boats 1894

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph, titled "The Landing of the Boats," using gelatin silver print. The choice of gelatin silver is significant. It was the standard medium of commercial photography at the time, valued for its relative ease of reproduction. Stieglitz was known for his dedication to photography as an art form. The soft focus and tonal range achieved through the gelatin silver process impart an atmospheric quality to the scene. This elevates the everyday activity of boats landing on the shore. Consider the scene: boats arriving, people gathering. It speaks to the social and economic life of a coastal community. Photography was a relatively new medium at the time Stieglitz was working. He embraced its potential to document contemporary life. He also used the process to explore aesthetic possibilities, often associated with painting. Stieglitz's work challenges us to think about the relationship between art and industry. The "low" medium of commercial photography can be used to create artistic and evocative imagery.