Battleground Point #9 1999

Richard Misrach made this photograph, Battleground Point #9, with a large format camera and a keen eye for the interplay of light and surface. It's all about process, right? The way the light hits the water, the way the clouds are mirrored, it’s almost painterly. The photograph's texture is smooth, almost like glass, with a subtle grain that gives it depth. The color palette is muted, mostly browns, tans, and grays, which creates a sense of calm and stillness. But then, look closer at the water. See how the reflection of the clouds creates these almost abstract shapes? There’s a tension between representation and abstraction here, which I love. Misrach's work often deals with the relationship between humans and the environment, and this piece is no exception. It reminds me a little of some of the early landscape photographers, like Carleton Watkins, who were also interested in capturing the sublime beauty of the American West. But Misrach brings a contemporary sensibility to the subject, exploring themes of environmental degradation and the impact of human activity on the natural world. It’s a reminder that art is always in conversation with what has come before.