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Leaping the Chasm at Stand Rock
Gelatin silver print, 10 × 7.2 cm, by Henry Hamilton Bennett, 1886
J.Paul Getty Museum
 

Bennett's son is suspended in mid-air as he leaps from the adjoining cliffs to the narrow column of Stand Rock in the Upper Dells of Wisconsin, high above the gorge below. A tall tree rises adjacent to the formation, partially obscuring its base and contributing a sense of vertical tension to the composition. Using a fast shutter, along with thoughtful composition and clear focus, Bennett shows a sound understanding of photographic techniques for that period and a purposeful and inventive effort to capture strong drama.