Equivalent 1925

Alfred Stieglitz made this gelatin silver print, titled Equivalent, using a camera and darkroom processes. At first glance, it may seem like a departure from the world of craft and design. However, the making of a photograph involves technical skill, an understanding of the medium, and the physical manipulation of materials. Stieglitz was interested in evoking emotion through his photographs, capturing the essence of a feeling or idea, and using clouds as an analogy for inner states of being. The varying tones and textures achieved through photographic chemistry give the image depth and atmosphere, which in turn reflects Stieglitz’s inner landscape. Photography, in its time, was a relatively new medium, situated between traditional fine arts and industrial production. Stieglitz elevated photography to the level of fine art, emphasizing the photographer's artistic vision and technical skill. He challenged established hierarchies within the art world. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we can appreciate photography as a form of creative expression.