New York c. 20th century

This photograph, New York, by Paul Strand, shows us a snowy scene, a little world captured in tones of grey, from dark soot to light ash. It's the kind of scene you might glance at and then dismiss, but Strand sees something more. The photograph is taken from above, as if we’re perched on a rooftop. The snow-covered structures – fences and rooftops – are depicted in such a way that their textures feel almost palpable, almost like rough brushstrokes in a painting. There's a delicate balance between light and shadow, revealing the hidden depths within the commonplace. The textures and tones feel so present here, like an ongoing conversation between the artist and his subject. Strand is not just documenting a scene, he's inviting us to contemplate the beauty in the ordinary, the poetry in the everyday. There is a certain stillness about it, something that echoes the quiet observation of artists like Walker Evans. Ultimately, it leaves you thinking about what else you might have missed in a fleeting glance.