Erica on Pink Sofa

This is a salt print made from a 4 by 5 negative shot in Spring of 2022. The salt print was created in November of 2022 through contact printing with the original negative. The print has been window matted on an 8 by 10 board and framed. This portrait depicts a young woman reclined on a sofa, bathed in rich natural light. She stares directly into the camera with a stoic look, contrasting with the delicacy of her dress, the furniture, and the soft light streaming through the window beside her. I was inspired by Pictorialism in creating this portrait, which is emphasized in the process of salt printing. Brush strokes and inconsistencies are visible from the application of silver nitrate to the paper. The small size of the portrait reflects the intimate nature of the photograph, inviting the viewer to look closer and notice these painterly details in both imagery and process.