Andrew D.

Bushner September 11, 2013 AH 370 The History of Photography Project 1 Photograph Critique

The photograph titled Abraham Lincoln is an albumen cabinet card produced by the Mathew Brady Studio in the year 1863. The photograph shows President Abraham Lincoln posed in a more natural position with one arm to his side and the other arm bent at a 90 degree angle behind his back. The photograph has Abraham Lincoln centered in the picture and he is looking towards the camera. Abraham Lincolns facial expression appears to be very content and even pleased, his hair is clean-cut and styled and his beard is also well-defined. There is no use of props in the photograph; President Lincoln is standing in front of an empty wall with what appears to be part of a curtain hanging from the ceiling next to him. Additionally, President Lincoln is not holding anything in his hands; he is wearing a vest with a bowtie and a long overcoat. Abraham Lincoln is the sole focus of the photograph which is supported by the photographers decision to use no props in the picture. The photograph is physically 3 1/3 by 2
3

/16 inches in size and is black and white with a low contrast. The low contrast makes the picture

appear very crisp and clear, which brings out the detail in President Lincolns face and clothing. The light in the photograph feels very natural and subtle; it looks as if President Lincoln is standing next to a window so the light may be coming from the outside. The photograph makes it feel like President Lincoln is standing in front of you; it gives the photograph a very personal feeling. The photograph was not taken very up close since Lincolns upper torso is not the only part of his body seen; however the photograph was not taken from afar since his entire body is not seen either. I feel that President Lincoln wanted this image to capture his optimism he had in 1863 for the United States and its future. In 1863, President Lincoln made his Emancipation Proclamation, which proclaimed the freedom of the slaves, as well as his famous Gettysburg Address so he was most likely feeling confident about his future and the future of the United

States. The sense of sanguinity can definitely be seen and felt from President Lincolns facial expression and in the way he is positioned in the photograph. He seems to have a buoyant and affirmative mood about him in the photograph even though he is only slightly smirking with his eyebrows faintly raised. The simplicity of the photograph amplifies this mood as well since the room is well lit and nothing draws your attention away from President Lincolns expression. I think that this photograph meant very much to the photographer since he was chosen to photograph the president and he was probably one of the first who was actually able to do so. Also, it was most likely a great honor for the Mathew Brady Studio and a chance to really show the world what they are capable of doing. In fact, President Lincoln credited his election to his Cooper Union speech and to his carte made by Mathew Brady.[1] Even though the photographer may have been very proud of his work, everyone at the time, especially in the South, probably did not feel the same way about it. Nevertheless, despite the few people who disagree with the photograph, it really represents a positive turning point in history. The photograph Abraham Lincoln is an excellent example of a good photograph. The photograph is very simply an image of President Abraham Lincoln but it really captures his essence. The way that the photographer positioned President Lincoln made him appear very powerful and formal while making him seem very pleasant and approachable. There is a very personal feeling about the photograph as well; the distance at which the photographer chose to capture President Lincoln makes it feel as if the president is standing right in front of you. Moreover, the clarity of the photograph makes it respectable. The crispness enhances the personal feeling there is about the photo and brings out the positivity and confidence in President Lincolns expression. The photograph is definitely a good use of photography because it brings assurance and hopefulness to the people who view it.

[1] Hirsch, Robert. Seizing the Light: A Social History of Photography. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2009. Print.