The Hollywood Suites (Nudes) #28 1974 - 1975

Steve Kahn, who passed away in 2018, made this gelatin silver print, part of the series ‘The Hollywood Suites (Nudes),’ using traditional photographic processes. The transformation from a captured image to a tangible print is fascinating. A gelatin silver print involves multiple steps: exposing light-sensitive paper to a negative, developing it in chemical baths, fixing, washing, and drying. The quality of the materials, the temperature of the chemicals, and the timing of each step all impact the final appearance, influencing the contrast, tone, and archival stability of the photograph. This process, requiring technical skill and control, imbues the photograph with a unique handmade quality. Think about the labor involved, not only by the artist but also those who produced the photographic paper and the chemicals used in the development. It reminds us that even in the age of digital photography, the traditional darkroom holds a special place in art history, blurring boundaries between art and craft.