Joseph T. Keiley 1911 - 1912

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph of Joseph T. Keiley; it’s a gelatin silver print on paper. It feels like Stieglitz was right there with Keiley, capturing him in a really intimate moment. It has a painterly feel to it, with these hazy, almost blurred edges, and the light really focuses your attention on Keiley’s face, and his hand holding eyeglasses. I can imagine Stieglitz experimenting with different exposures and developing techniques in the darkroom. He might be thinking about how to create depth and mood with light and shadow. Look at the contrast between the dark background and the lighter areas of Keiley’s face and shirt. It almost feels like a chiaroscuro painting, a technique that painters have used for centuries to create drama and emotional intensity. It's as though Stieglitz is in conversation with painters of the past. As artists, we’re all inspired by those who came before us, building on their ideas and techniques while also pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.