Lyde Wall, friend and neighbor, who makes "the world’s best apple pie", and knows everything going on for miles around, Berkeley, California  1944

This is a photograph of Lyde Wall, taken in Berkeley, California, by Dorothea Lange. The image is a gelatin silver print, a process that involves coating paper with light-sensitive silver halides. Lange was a documentary photographer, and here, she captures Wall holding a pie, presumably the "world's best apple pie" mentioned in the title. The photograph's texture is smooth, with a range of tones achieved through the careful manipulation of light and chemicals. The process itself is labor-intensive, requiring skill in both the darkroom and in capturing the image. While photography may seem less 'hands-on' than other crafts, Lange's work underscores the care and artistry involved. This challenges the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, emphasizing the importance of material and process in understanding an artwork's full meaning. The photograph celebrates the artistry of everyday life, elevating the humble apple pie to a symbol of community and care.