The Interior of the Spit 2015

Robert Adams made this black and white photograph titled ‘The Interior of the Spit’ at an unknown date. It's a landscape, but the light and tonality feel so considered, that it's almost abstract. I love how Adams focuses on the subtle gradations of light and texture. The foreground is dominated by tall grass, rendered in rich, dark tones. It almost feels like a solid mass. See how your eye gradually moves towards the lighter, more open space in the distance? This movement is echoed by the soft, misty mountains in the background. Look closely, you can almost feel the dampness in the air. For me, Adams’ work resonates with that of the Bechers; both are interested in documenting overlooked aspects of the landscape in a dispassionate, almost scientific way. Yet, there’s something deeply poetic about Adams’ photographs. They remind us that beauty can be found in the most ordinary places, if only we take the time to really look.