Rue Cambon Possibly 1846 - 1965

Hippolyte Bayard made this photogenic drawing of Rue Cambon in Paris with paper and chemicals; he was really one of photography's pioneers. What strikes me is how the tones are built up, like layers in a painting, those muted greys and browns, as if he was coaxing the image out of the paper. It's a process, not just a snap. Look at how the light catches on the rooftops, those tiny chimney pots standing like sentinels. It's almost as if Bayard is painting with light, revealing the textures of the buildings and the quiet stillness of the street. Notice the surface of the paper too. It has a kind of depth, a materiality that almost gives the photograph a sculptural quality. It reminds me of Corot, who was working at the same time; there's a shared interest in capturing the subtle effects of light and atmosphere. What I love about this image, and about art in general, is that it doesn’t give you all the answers. It invites you to look, to feel, to wander around in the space of the image and find your own way.