In 1939, the American photographer Berenice Abbott (1898-1991) embarked on a land- mark collection of scientific imagery. Abbott, best-known for documenting New York City, was also deeply fascinated by the technological advances of her time. Her efforts culminated in 1958 with school textbooks published as part of MIT’s Physical Science Study Project. The pictures, which illustrate various scientific principles, sparked a greater understanding of chemistry, mathematics and physics. They also cemented photography’s usefulness as an educational and instructional tool, bridging the gap between disciplines. Now, Greg White’s (b. 1978) Base Quantities is inspired by Abbott’s pioneering work. The series is captured entirely in-camera, and visualises electric current, length, luminous intensity, mass, amount of substance, thermodynamic temperature and time. It demonstrates White’s hallmarks: crisp, graphic photography, carefully considered compositions and lucid lighting. gregwhite.tv

Image credits: Greg White, from Base Quantities (2020). Images courtesy of the artist.