Swami Nikhilananda 1937

This is a photograph by Alfred Stieglitz, depicting Swami Nikhilananda, and it's all about texture and light. Look at how the light catches on the tweed of the jacket and the gentle gradations in tone. It's all about process in a way, it's about the artist being present, being conscious, and allowing the image to emerge through the act of making. What's so striking is the way Stieglitz captures the hands. They are the central focus, intertwined and still, but full of potential energy. The tonal range is incredible: from the bright whites of the cuffs, through the mid-tones of the jacket, to the almost velvety blacks in the shadows of the hands. The detail in the knuckles and creases of the skin is amazing, drawing the viewer in. It reminds me of a passage in one of Joan Didion's essays, where she describes the quality of light and shadow in a photograph. Stieglitz, like his contemporary Edward Weston, was constantly pushing the boundaries of photography. They remind me that art is always an ongoing conversation, and that there is always more than one way to see the world. It leaves me with more questions than answers.