Etellea 1912

This is Morton Schamberg’s ‘Etellea’, a gelatin silver print. Look at the way Schamberg plays with light and shadow, almost like he’s sculpting the image. It’s got this soft, dreamy quality, but there's something precise about the composition. Photography, like any art form, is a process; you’re not just capturing a moment, but creating a reality. The way the light catches the fabric of her dress, turning it into a series of flowing lines, is really gorgeous. The image has a quiet, almost melancholic feel, which may be because the tonality is relatively flat. The way her hat casts a shadow on her face makes her seem a little mysterious, but also vulnerable. And yet, the photograph exudes confidence and a certain pride. You might also think about Man Ray, who was doing similar things around the same time. It's all about seeing the world in a new way.