Darkroom Research

 Adam Fuss creates art to explore life itself. Much of his work includes natural life, usage of florals, human form, water, and smoke often using photogram techniques to expose the natural images formed on the paper. Born in England in 1961, Adam was exposed to photography as a young adult after moving to Australia with his mother following the death of his father. Once he found an interest in photography Adam began experimenting with different techniques and exhibited many images in galleries. As his work progressed he received great attention for his works, which then were acquired by different museums for their collections.

Theia, 2026

pigment print, 45 x 65-1/8 inches (framed​) [114.3 x 165.4 cm]

This piece really sticks out to me. The contrast between the beauty of the greenery of the flowers and the way that they are presented really pulls me in. The flowers crushed and destroyed, mixing the colors until it is almost muddy and unrecognizable creates a texture that feels a little uncomfortable and saddening. Especially on a black background that seems almost ridged, it brings forth the idea of how even destroyed beauty is beautiful. But it’s interesting the more I look at it the less random it seems and the more pattern and organization I notice. The organizing of yellows, pinks, purples, and whites used a background outline to highlight the brightness found in the colors of the flowers.

The name of the collection Theia that this piece is a part of refers to the Greek Goddess Theia who is known as the goddess of sight, prophecy, and brilliance. With that in mind it makes me think about her position as the goddess of sight. Just like how I mentioned earlier about how the longer you look at this image the more you see. To me it’s like the opposite of a Monet, the farther away I look the more abstract it seems, but the closer I look the more I see in the image. But throughout the collection of Theia, there is a cohesive chaos that I notice. All the pieces look like they are meant to be together but also look nothing like one another.

Darkroom Research

 Adam Fuss creates art to explore life itself. Much of his work includes natural life, usage of florals, human form, water, and smoke often using photogram techniques to expose the natural images formed on the paper. Born in England in 1961, Adam was exposed to photography as a young adult after moving to Australia with his mother following the death of his father. Once he found an interest in photography Adam began experimenting with different techniques and exhibited many images in galleries. As his work progressed he received great attention for his works, which then were acquired by different museums for their collections.

Theia, 2026

pigment print, 45 x 65-1/8 inches (framed​) [114.3 x 165.4 cm]

This piece really sticks out to me. The contrast between the beauty of the greenery of the flowers and the way that they are presented really pulls me in. The flowers crushed and destroyed, mixing the colors until it is almost muddy and unrecognizable creates a texture that feels a little uncomfortable and saddening. Especially on a black background that seems almost ridged, it brings forth the idea of how even destroyed beauty is beautiful. But it’s interesting the more I look at it the less random it seems and the more pattern and organization I notice. The organizing of yellows, pinks, purples, and whites used a background outline to highlight the brightness found in the colors of the flowers.

The name of the collection Theia that this piece is a part of refers to the Greek Goddess Theia who is known as the goddess of sight, prophecy, and brilliance. With that in mind it makes me think about her position as the goddess of sight. Just like how I mentioned earlier about how the longer you look at this image the more you see. To me it’s like the opposite of a Monet, the farther away I look the more abstract it seems, but the closer I look the more I see in the image. But throughout the collection of Theia, there is a cohesive chaos that I notice. All the pieces look like they are meant to be together but also look nothing like one another.

Am I a good example?

 I was just talking about this last night, but I really hope that I’m a loving example of Him in my life. 

When things go bad in the life of the people around me do I feel like someone they could go to, for questions about Him, about why He has done what He does, or how to know more about Him.

I remember in high school an old friend of mine had said something along the lines of “I’m coming to you with this because I know you would be gentle with me” in reference to questions about God. I didn’t realize it at the time but I think that’s one of my favorite compliments I’ve gotten in my life. That I would treat her gently, I feel like that’s where I let Him shine through me in those moments. 

I hope that wasn’t just a one off, that those outside the church feel like I can be a place of understanding only because of Him. And I hope they know that last part as well, that it’s only because of Him that I am the good parts of myself.

I hope to show love, kindness, goodness, gentleness, compassion, and light to others and hope that I am a good example of Him to others through those qualities.

Am I a good example?

 I was just talking about this last night, but I really hope that I’m a loving example of Him in my life. 

When things go bad in the life of the people around me do I feel like someone they could go to, for questions about Him, about why He has done what He does, or how to know more about Him.

I remember in high school an old friend of mine had said something along the lines of “I’m coming to you with this because I know you would be gentle with me” in reference to questions about God. I didn’t realize it at the time but I think that’s one of my favorite compliments I’ve gotten in my life. That I would treat her gently, I feel like that’s where I let Him shine through me in those moments. 

I hope that wasn’t just a one off, that those outside the church feel like I can be a place of understanding only because of Him. And I hope they know that last part as well, that it’s only because of Him that I am the good parts of myself.

I hope to show love, kindness, goodness, gentleness, compassion, and light to others and hope that I am a good example of Him to others through those qualities.

History of Photography

1850s - 1900s

Subject: Father and son having their photo taken

Date: 1910s

Photographer: Unknown

Relevant information:

Include any interesting historical, cultural, or biographical information about the photograph, its

subject, or the photographer.

My response:

I choose this image because you don’t often see people in older photos having fun in the images they are meant to pose for. Often because there is a delay between clicking for the photo and the photo being taken. I feel like this shows personality

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Subject: Enslaved women and their children

Date: December 2, 1861 - March 10,1862.

Photographer: James E. Larkin

Relevant information:

This photo was taken during the civil war in the U.S., Alexandria, Virginia, was a port supply city, but on May 24, 1861 had been turned into a heavily fortified federal supply base and military prison for the union forces for the rest of the American Civil War.

My response:

In this image you see women and very young children in warm clothes surrounded by a desolate forest. I thought it portrayed the sadness of the time as black people in the US faced such hardship. As the children look into the camera and the women look away from it I thought it shows the understanding of the women and the unknowingness of the children around them.

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Subject: A Woman and her enslaved girl

Date: 1850s

Photographer: Unknown

Relevant information:

This is photo is thought to be an image of slave owner and aunt to the owners of the Whitney plantation Marie Azelie Haydel but there is no evidence to back up this claim. It is unknown who these people are or where this photo was taken.

My response:

In this image you see a slave owner and a very young black girl and her slave master taking a picture together. The young girl is in ratty clothes and looks with a fear or disappointment as she looks directly into the camera while the women look away as if she doesn't want to be seen

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1920s - 1960s

Subject: Berlin residents mill outside the Anhalter railway station after an Allied bombing raid, Date: March, 1945. Photographer: Ullstein Bild Relevant information: 

In 1945, Berlin endured massive Allied bombing, a brutal Soviet siege, the death of Adolf Hitler, and the total collapse of Nazi Germany ending World War II in Europe. They were in a state of unrest and political confusion.

My response: The chaos of this image is what drew me to it. The scattering of items on the ground. The soot and dust giving the image far away feel is a really cool effect. And the people seem to be holding all the belongings that they can carry as if they were not coming back.

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Subject: Group in front of Fence, Pitt Street, Lower East Side, NY

Date: 1938

Photographer: Walter Rosenblum

Relevant information: 

During this time the great depression had swept over America hitting many families very hard. Many people became unemployed, bankrupt, and on the brink of homelessness if not homeless. This image is also Gelatin silver print and toned with dimensions of 17.9 x 23.1 cm.

My response:

The photos during the great depression always fascinated me. The images truly showed the human spirit, how people will do whatever they need to in order to survive. This image shows women speaking together on the street in front of what looks like laundry drying on the fence behind them. This image is similar to the photo taken during the civil war as it shows women still being heavily impacted by the environment around them.

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1980s - 2026

Subject: Gdańsk, the termination of the strike in the Lenin Shipyard 

Date: August 31st 1980

Photographer: Witold Górka / Karta Centre 

Relevant information: 

In Poland in the 1980s protests erupted across the nation, leading to the Gdańsk Shipyard strike led by the Free Trade Unions of the Coast. Workers demanded the reinstatement of dismissed activists, pay raises, and broader political freedoms, culminating in about 21 demands. Eventually the government backed down and signed the August Agreements, which granted workers the right to establish free trade unions (leading to the creation of Solidarność) and freedom of speech. 

My response:

I love seeing the joy of celebration in this man. The excitement to kiss the man next to him without fear of the societal standards of affection towards other men. Especially in Europe there is a large culture of homophobia and the dislike of being considered gay. But the joy in this man from getting what he wanted in protest bypassed these ideas and turming into pure unrestricted excitement.

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Subject: Dr. Joseph Varon hugs and comforts a patient in the COVID-19 intensive-care unit Date: November 26, 2020 Photographer: Go Nakamura / Getty Relevant information: Dr. Varon is hugging and comforting a patient in the COVID-19 intensive-care unit during Thanksgiving at the United Memorial Medical Center in Houston, Texas. At this point in time more than 67 million people worldwide have been infected by the new coronavirus, and more than 1.5 million of them have died, taking unimaginable tolls on health-care workers, families, and so many more. My response: This was such a hard time, having loved ones in the hospital that you couldn't visit or see even when they have lost their lives to this virus there was a distance that just couldn't be breached. This image shows an almost divine level of car, the lighting behind the image gives a heavenly glow. The doctor being covered in so much protective gear makes it seem as if he is foreign or cold, but in reality he is a place of safety and warmth for his patient.

History of Photography

1850s - 1900s

Subject: Father and son having their photo taken

Date: 1910s

Photographer: Unknown

Relevant information:

Include any interesting historical, cultural, or biographical information about the photograph, its

subject, or the photographer.

My response:

I choose this image because you don’t often see people in older photos having fun in the images they are meant to pose for. Often because there is a delay between clicking for the photo and the photo being taken. I feel like this shows personality

----------

Subject: Enslaved women and their children

Date: December 2, 1861 - March 10,1862.

Photographer: James E. Larkin

Relevant information:

This photo was taken during the civil war in the U.S., Alexandria, Virginia, was a port supply city, but on May 24, 1861 had been turned into a heavily fortified federal supply base and military prison for the union forces for the rest of the American Civil War.

My response:

In this image you see women and very young children in warm clothes surrounded by a desolate forest. I thought it portrayed the sadness of the time as black people in the US faced such hardship. As the children look into the camera and the women look away from it I thought it shows the understanding of the women and the unknowingness of the children around them.

----------

Subject: A Woman and her enslaved girl

Date: 1850s

Photographer: Unknown

Relevant information:

This is photo is thought to be an image of slave owner and aunt to the owners of the Whitney plantation Marie Azelie Haydel but there is no evidence to back up this claim. It is unknown who these people are or where this photo was taken.

My response:

In this image you see a slave owner and a very young black girl and her slave master taking a picture together. The young girl is in ratty clothes and looks with a fear or disappointment as she looks directly into the camera while the women look away as if she doesn't want to be seen

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1920s - 1960s

Subject: Berlin residents mill outside the Anhalter railway station after an Allied bombing raid, Date: March, 1945. Photographer: Ullstein Bild Relevant information: 

In 1945, Berlin endured massive Allied bombing, a brutal Soviet siege, the death of Adolf Hitler, and the total collapse of Nazi Germany ending World War II in Europe. They were in a state of unrest and political confusion.

My response: The chaos of this image is what drew me to it. The scattering of items on the ground. The soot and dust giving the image far away feel is a really cool effect. And the people seem to be holding all the belongings that they can carry as if they were not coming back.

----------

Subject: Group in front of Fence, Pitt Street, Lower East Side, NY

Date: 1938

Photographer: Walter Rosenblum

Relevant information: 

During this time the great depression had swept over America hitting many families very hard. Many people became unemployed, bankrupt, and on the brink of homelessness if not homeless. This image is also Gelatin silver print and toned with dimensions of 17.9 x 23.1 cm.

My response:

The photos during the great depression always fascinated me. The images truly showed the human spirit, how people will do whatever they need to in order to survive. This image shows women speaking together on the street in front of what looks like laundry drying on the fence behind them. This image is similar to the photo taken during the civil war as it shows women still being heavily impacted by the environment around them.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1980s - 2026

Subject: Gdańsk, the termination of the strike in the Lenin Shipyard 

Date: August 31st 1980

Photographer: Witold Górka / Karta Centre 

Relevant information: 

In Poland in the 1980s protests erupted across the nation, leading to the Gdańsk Shipyard strike led by the Free Trade Unions of the Coast. Workers demanded the reinstatement of dismissed activists, pay raises, and broader political freedoms, culminating in about 21 demands. Eventually the government backed down and signed the August Agreements, which granted workers the right to establish free trade unions (leading to the creation of Solidarność) and freedom of speech. 

My response:

I love seeing the joy of celebration in this man. The excitement to kiss the man next to him without fear of the societal standards of affection towards other men. Especially in Europe there is a large culture of homophobia and the dislike of being considered gay. But the joy in this man from getting what he wanted in protest bypassed these ideas and turming into pure unrestricted excitement.

----------

Subject: Dr. Joseph Varon hugs and comforts a patient in the COVID-19 intensive-care unit Date: November 26, 2020 Photographer: Go Nakamura / Getty Relevant information: Dr. Varon is hugging and comforting a patient in the COVID-19 intensive-care unit during Thanksgiving at the United Memorial Medical Center in Houston, Texas. At this point in time more than 67 million people worldwide have been infected by the new coronavirus, and more than 1.5 million of them have died, taking unimaginable tolls on health-care workers, families, and so many more. My response: This was such a hard time, having loved ones in the hospital that you couldn't visit or see even when they have lost their lives to this virus there was a distance that just couldn't be breached. This image shows an almost divine level of car, the lighting behind the image gives a heavenly glow. The doctor being covered in so much protective gear makes it seem as if he is foreign or cold, but in reality he is a place of safety and warmth for his patient.