The Interior of the Spit 2015

This black and white photograph of a wooded scene is by Robert Adams. Looking at this image, I think about the artist wading through the undergrowth with his camera, composing the shot. It must have been kind of damp and cold! The trees are mostly bare, and the light is filtered, diffused, and softened by the overcast sky. The monochromatic palette emphasizes the texture of the bark and the tangle of branches. The scene is almost claustrophobic, isn't it? Adams is known for his photographs of the American West. The work is often concerned with the impact of human development on the natural landscape, and this photograph reflects a sense of both beauty and desolation. The darks are quite dense, really beautifully printed. It makes me wonder what kind of mood the photographer was in when he took this photo. In the end, all artists are in a dialogue, an exchange of ideas across time, inspiring one another’s creativity.