Emil C. Zoler 1917

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph of Emil C. Zoler sometime in the early 20th century, using a process that gives the image a warm, sepia tone, like a memory fading into the past. Look at the way Stieglitz plays with light and shadow here. The soft gradations, almost painterly, give Zoler's face a sculptural quality. The light catches the planes of his cheeks and brow, while his eyes remain slightly shadowed, lending an air of mystery. It's like Stieglitz is using light to sculpt not just the face, but also the mood of the piece. The tones blend seamlessly into one another, it is difficult to find a sharp line anywhere in the image. Stieglitz was part of the Photo-Secession movement, which wanted photography to be seen as fine art, just like painting or sculpture. In a similar way to the painter Edward Steichen, he manipulated the photographic process to achieve expressive effects, softening details and emphasizing tonal range. The result is a deeply felt, intimate portrait that invites us to contemplate the inner life of the sitter.