Alfred Von Tirpitz 1916

This is a photograph of Alfred Von Tirpitz by Nicola Perscheid. Look at the surface, the way the light shifts and settles into the tones and details in Tirpitz's face, his beard, and the medals adorning his uniform. You can see Perscheid’s interest in the materiality of photography in the rich tonal range of the print, and the way it draws attention to the surface quality of the image. This is not just a mechanical reproduction, it’s a crafted, tactile object. What really strikes me is the contrast between the crisp details of his uniform, and the softer, almost blurred effect on the background, which seems to melt away behind him. It’s like he is emerging from the darkness, demanding to be seen. It brings to mind the work of someone like Julia Margaret Cameron, another photographer who wasn’t afraid to embrace the imperfections of the medium. Because ultimately, art is about embracing uncertainty and celebrating the unexpected.