Untitled (Nude) 1958

This gelatin silver print was made by Bill Brandt, sometime in the 20th century. Brandt was a master of darkroom techniques, and in this image, we see the result of his careful manipulation. The composition of the human body takes center stage, while the objects in the background are part of the photographer's studio. There are geometric shapes, a painting, and fragments of frames. The print's surface displays a range of tones, from deep blacks to luminous whites, made possible by the very specific chemistry of the gelatin silver process. Photography, of course, is a mechanically reproduced medium. Yet, consider the labor involved in achieving this particular aesthetic: the setting up of the shot, the development of the negative, and the final printing. Brandt's careful attention to materials and processes transforms a seemingly straightforward image into a crafted object, blurring the lines between photography, design, and sculpture.