Sunburned GSP #475 (San Francisco Bay) 2011

Chris McCaw made *Sunburned GSP #475 (San Francisco Bay)* by directly manipulating photographic paper with sunlight. This isn’t your conventional darkroom print, it’s more like landscape painting with light itself. McCaw uses a large-format camera, replacing the lens with a powerful magnifying glass. He then exposes the paper for extended periods, sometimes hours. The sun’s rays literally burn through the emulsion, creating these dramatic lines and solarized effects. The photographic paper buckles and warps under the intensity, adding to the image’s unique texture. The resulting image isn't just a picture of a landscape; it’s a record of a durational performance, and the incredible energy involved. It recalls experimental photography of the 19th century but pushes it to the extreme. By directly engaging with the material and process, McCaw elevates photography beyond mere representation, making us consider the physical impact of light and time.