Cape Cod 1972

Harry Callahan made this photograph, titled "Cape Cod," to capture a seemingly simple scene. But, like all deceptively simple things, it is quietly profound. I can imagine Callahan up high, looking down on this beach, composing the scene. In the darkroom, he coaxes the blacks and whites to create a scene that feels calm, but also a little unsettling. The contrast is high, giving the beach scene a sense of drama, almost as though it were a stage set. The dark shadow in the corner anchors the scene and also throws it off its axis. It's such a simple, effective trick! Callahan's work reminds me of the way Agnes Martin would work. They share a sensibility. In this case, the sensibility of an artist who sees the world in terms of interlocking planes. Someone who creates an image in order to share their unique perspective, one that lingers with you long after you’ve turned away.