america & alfred stieglitz
Part of the challenge of using an antique lens like the Pinkham Smith Semi Achromat is understanding how to control it and make it give you exactly what you're after, then relinquishing that control and being surprised and amazed at what you get.
That is the case here. A simple set-up. Some antique books leaning against an enormous brass lens. I had partial direct sun lighting through a window and shot it wide open.