Jerry Uelsmann 1975

This photograph, "Jerry Uelsmann," was made by Mike Mandel, sometime after 1950. Its monochrome palette gives it a timeless, almost archetypal quality, but it also reveals an interest in the process of image-making, the way light and shadow interact. The texture of the print is smooth, almost matte, but the contrasts create a sense of depth. Look at the way the light catches the baseball bat, highlighting its rounded form against the darker jacket. It's like the bat is an extension of his body, ready for action. The choice of black and white flattens the image somewhat, but it also emphasizes the composition, the way the figure fills the frame, almost bursting out of it. The high contrast and tight framing remind me of some of Robert Mapplethorpe’s portraits. Like Mapplethorpe, Mandel seems to be interested in the power of the image, its ability to both reveal and conceal. It's not just a portrait; it's a statement. And like all good art, it leaves you with more questions than answers.