Self-Portrait with Shutter Release 1945

Ilse Bing's self-portrait, made using photography, shows a really fascinating approach to portraiture. The greyscale values are so smooth, it’s as if the picture is painted with light, one delicate shade at a time. There’s a physical presence to the work; the way the light rakes across her face and shirt creates these interesting, subtle textures. I'm really drawn to the soft gradations around the collar. There's a controlled contrast, a gentle revelation of form through light and shadow, that is so compelling. And her hands, holding the shutter release, are so delicate. It's like she's conducting her own image into existence. Bing's self-portrait reminds me a little of some of Claude Cahun's work, this embrace of identity as something fluid and constructed. The image resists a fixed reading, inviting you into its quiet, contemplative space.