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Equivalents
In 1922 Alfred Stieglitz wrote:
"Thirty-five or more years ago I spent a few days in Murren [Switerland],
and I was experimenting with ortho plates. Clouds and their relationships
to the rest of the world, and clouds for themselves, interested me, and
clouds which were difficult to photograph -- nearly impossible. Ever since
then clouds have been in my mind most powerfully at times, and I always knew
I'd follow up the experiment made over thirty-five years ago. I always
watched clouds. Studied them. Had unusual experiences up here on the
hillside . . . I wanted to photograph clouds to see
what I had learnt in about forty years of photography. Through clouds to
put down my philosophy of life -- to show that my photographs were not due
to subject matter -- not to special trees, or face, or interiors, to special
privileges, clouds were there for everyone -- no tax as yet on them -- free.
"So I began to work with clouds -- and it was great excitement -- daily for
weeks. Every time I developed I was so wrought up, always believing that I
had nearly gotten what I was after -- but had failed."
"Straight photographs . . . All in the power of every
photographer of all time, and I satisfied that I had learnt something during
the forty years . . . ."
After 1922 Stieglitz described his cloud photograph as Equivalents. "My cloud
photographs are equivalents of my most profound life experience, my basic
philosophy of life."
I too make my humble contribution of Equivalents.
Based on Stieglitz's rules, I also intend to produce 10 photographs (though Stieglitz
did in fact produce more than one set).
I intend to build up a collection of the best ten photographs. These will change from time to time
as I continue to build the collection. I will also leave up another gallery of some of my "rejects".
You can look at these too. I would be very happy to hear
from you on your feelings toward my
Equivalents, collection and rejects.
View the current Collection of 10.
More Equivalents.
Contact Menachem
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