Light Volume 1937

This silver gelatin print, “Light Volume,” was made by Nathan Lerner. It gives us much to consider about the nature of photography and the ways in which artistic value is assigned. The process involves arranging mundane materials like paper, string, and wooden sticks, and then capturing the scene with black and white film. The result is a study of light and shadow, not unlike a still life painting. The work draws attention to photography as a blend of technical process and creative vision. The artist creates an almost abstract composition, playing with the contrast between light and dark. Rather than a straightforward recording of reality, Lerner coaxes an environment into existence, then documents it. By thinking about how photographs are carefully constructed, we start to move beyond the idea of the photograph as a mere document, and more toward an appreciation of its status as a crafted object.