Barbara Crane 1975

This is Mike Mandel's photographic portrait of Barbara Crane, printed on a small sheet. I wonder if it was easy for Mike to capture Barbara at the pool table, that arm stretched out so confidently? What was she thinking as she lined up her shot? I can imagine Mike, circling, considering all the angles. There’s something about black and white photography that turns the everyday into the extraordinary, don’t you think? It's how Mandel frames the shot, Barbara’s gaze, the casual, almost nonchalant pose—it all comes together to create this intriguing image. Photographers, like painters, are in an ongoing conversation. They see something, then respond, adding their voice to the mix. It's about capturing a moment, an idea, a feeling and sharing it with others. It's about connection, expression, and the ongoing exploration of what it means to be human, even in the slightly weird format of a trading card.