Prompt: I’d like you to say what captures you about the image–that is, about what can be distributed infinitely through digital sources–and what is important about the print itself as a unique object.
This image is a daguerrotype by Vera Lutter. The daguerrotype was one of the first practical methods to obtain a permanent image with a camera. One creates this type of image with a silver-plated copper plate, which is then sensitized to light using an iodine and bromine coating. Daguerre then discovered that the latent image on an exposed plate could be brought out or “developed” with the fumes from warmed mercury. The use of mercury vapor meant that photographic images could be produced in twenty to thirty minutes rather than hours.
I chose this image because of its significance in my life and because of it’s ability to capture the essence of the bridge within the picture. The rugged wire cables, huge granite blocks, and graffiti tags along the metal beams perfectly capture the Brooklyn vibe. While the contrasting black and white colors help illustrate the grandiosity of the bridge. Even the wooden walkway is clearly depicted in this photo, crossed by many since the bridge’s conception, yet empty in this picture. Perhaps, this photo is meant to capture the solitude one can experience even when they are in one of the most populated cities in the world.
