Punaise des prés 1930

This gelatin silver print, "Punaise des prés," was created by Raoul Hausmann, though we don't know exactly when. Looking at this image, I think of process, and photography as a process. Light-sensitive paper, a darkroom, the precise timing of exposure... It’s all such a beautiful dance between the world and its representation. Hausmann isn't just pointing a camera; he's collaborating with the inherent qualities of the medium. What I love about this print is how Hausmann coaxes out a range of tones, from the almost luminous highlights on the seed pods to the deep, velvety shadows that define their forms. It’s about the texture, the way the light catches on each individual segment, giving them a palpable, almost tactile presence. The thin stems, so sharp and clear, seem to defy the softness of the pods. It’s almost like a drawing! This focus on the overlooked, the humble seed pod, reminds me of Karl Blossfeldt's botanical studies. It's this idea that art is about looking closely, finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. And that's a conversation I always want to be a part of.