Stokely Carmichael, Unknown Chicago Church c. 1968

Darryl Cowherd captured this photograph of Stokely Carmichael at an unknown Chicago church. The gelatin silver print process, while replicable, requires careful control of materials and conditions. Cowherd would have exposed the sensitized paper to light through a negative, then developed and fixed the image using chemical baths. The resulting black and white tonality influences how we perceive the subject. The stark contrast gives the image a documentary feel, fitting for a figure like Carmichael, deeply involved in the civil rights movement. The material’s inherent qualities of light sensitivity and chemical reactivity are harnessed to create a lasting, tangible record of a moment in time. Cowherd’s mastery of photographic techniques emphasizes the weight and seriousness of Carmichael’s presence. By focusing on the craft of photography, we can better understand its ability to convey social and political messages. This piece exemplifies how an image, created through specific material processes, becomes a powerful form of expression.