Long Island Landscape (beach) 1979

Editor: Lawrence McFarland's black and white photograph, "Long Island Landscape (beach)," captures an expansive scene. The texture of the water is so detailed, almost overwhelming. What do you see in the composition of this piece? Curator: The stark contrast between the dark foreground and the subtly gradated sky certainly structures the viewing experience. Observe how the horizon line divides the image, creating a tension between the tactile and the ethereal. Does that division impact your understanding? Editor: I hadn't considered it that way, but now I see how the textures compete with the sky. It's almost a fight between realism and something more abstract. Curator: Precisely. It is this interplay of elements that defines the image. Editor: I will definitely look at landscapes differently now. Thanks. Curator: My pleasure. Focusing on form helps us understand the artist’s choices and their impact on us.