“Photography quickly came to be used in a prejudicial way,” explains the German photographer Thomas Ruff, “losing its innocence and consequently its ability to communicate.” Focusing on the grammar of photography, Ruff moves between a broad range of photographic genres to show how a medium that supposedly captures the truth can actually distort it. His approach is sometimes called “meta-photography.” Here, 17 of his series, including the new “Bonfils” (2022), are on view, uncovering hidden realities. —E.C.