Ida O'Keeffe 1924

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph of Ida O’Keeffe with light and shadow. It's fascinating how Stieglitz coaxes so much from a limited palette. Look at the way the light delicately defines her features, creating a soft, almost dreamlike quality. There is a beautiful contrast between the smoothness of her skin and the texture of her fur stole. The tonal variations are subtle but so powerful, they give shape to her face, emphasizing her eyes and the gentle curve of her smile. It’s all about capturing a fleeting moment, an expression, a feeling. I'm reminded of the work of Edward Steichen, another photographer who experimented with light and shadow in portraiture. But where Steichen often aimed for a sense of drama and glamour, Stieglitz seems more interested in capturing the essence of his subject, in all their quiet complexity. It is a reminder that art is not about definitive statements, but about embracing ambiguity and celebrating the endless possibilities of seeing.