Self-Portrait, Paris 1934

Ilse Bing made this self-portrait in Paris using photography, a medium that captures light and shadow in a way that feels both immediate and timeless. Bing's work always felt like she was making it up as she went along, pushing the boundaries of the medium. Look at the way the light catches the texture of her shirt, a rough weave that contrasts with the smooth tones of her face. The photograph has this incredible depth, and the shadow feels like it's alive and moving, almost as if the work is breathing. Then there’s the angle of the shot, slightly tilted, so it feels like she is making a decision in the moment. Bing’s experimental approach places her in conversation with artists like László Moholy-Nagy, who also explored the abstract qualities of photography. For Bing, the camera was a tool for seeing the world anew, embracing uncertainty and change.