Multiple Exposure Tree, Chicago c. 1956

Harry Callahan made this photograph in Chicago using a multiple exposure technique. Can you imagine what it was like to stand where he stood, looking up through the bare branches of these trees? It is as if he captured not just one view, but many, layering them on top of each other to create a sense of depth and complexity. Look at how the branches crisscross and overlap. Doesn’t it make you feel as though you are inside the tree, looking out in all directions at once? For me, this piece also resonates with the work of other artists who have explored similar themes of nature and perception, like Minor White. Callahan invites us to see the world in new ways, to find beauty in the everyday, and to appreciate the rich tapestry of life that surrounds us.