Apple Tree 1921

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph of an apple tree, printing it on paper. I can imagine Stieglitz circling this tree, trying to find the best angle, the right light. Look at the way the branches reach, how the light catches on the rough bark. I imagine the light dappling through the leaves and how he must have felt the weight of the camera, the anticipation of capturing something real. It is almost like the tree itself is pushing out of the frame, demanding attention. The tree feels so alive and present; it’s more than just a tree, right? It’s like a portrait of resilience, of reaching for light. There’s something so simple, so grounded, about Stieglitz’s choice. It reminds me that sometimes the most profound things are right in front of us, growing, changing, weathering the seasons, and inviting us to think about new ways of seeing.