Clatsop County, Oregon 1999 - 2003

Editor: So, this is Robert Adams' "Clatsop County, Oregon," a photograph taken between 1999 and 2003. It’s stark… monochrome, obviously. I am struck by the way he frames a deforested landscape. How would you interpret Adams’s photograph? Curator: Well, the photograph to me speaks of absences, doesn't it? What we *expect* to see in a landscape – lushness, vibrant greens, a sense of natural abundance – is strikingly missing. The picture presents not just a space, but a commentary, right? And Adams... he's not just passively documenting; he’s asking us, maybe even challenging us, to consider our role in this altering landscape. Editor: That makes sense. There's a definite somber quality, perhaps even a hint of indictment? It avoids romanticizing anything; instead it showcases the unvarnished consequences of industry. Curator: Precisely. Adams refrains from easy sentimentality. What do you think of the composition? Editor: The eye is drawn towards the background with the long views and undulating lines that creates a deep focus. However, in the foreground there's a more shallow depth of field which allows for the eye to have access to the devastation. Curator: Excellent observation! See how he invites you to visually "read" the landscape, urging one to reflect on that contrast between what persists and what is taken, highlighting our complex engagement with the land. You find something beautiful and disturbing at the same time. What would you say? Editor: I agree, the work definitely moved me. It really got me thinking about the ethical implications of how we engage with our planet. Curator: Exactly! And for me, that dialogue is precisely where the value and continued resonance of Adams’s work lie, beyond a pure landscape image. Thanks, that was wonderful!