U.S. 50, East of Carson City Possibly 1977 - 1978

This black and white photograph, U.S. 50, East of Carson City, was made by Lewis Baltz. Working with conventional photography, Baltz documented the American West, especially its transformed landscapes. In this case, it is the stark, unforgiving landscape that is on full display. He often chose to feature sites that were marginal, unremarkable, and even banal. His images are characterized by a high degree of technical precision and a cool, detached perspective. The black and white tonality and lack of dramatic composition contribute to the image’s sense of objectivity, as well as a sense of emptiness. Baltz's work prompts us to reconsider the relationship between photography, documentation, and artistic expression. He turns our attention to the overlooked and often unsettling aspects of the built environment, and how the land is used and commodified. Ultimately, his photographs are less about individual beauty and more about revealing broader social and economic forces at play.