Company Houses for Tannery Workers 1935

This black and white photograph by Walker Evans shows a row of identical houses, probably somewhere in America. I imagine him carefully framing the buildings, trying to find a way to express both their uniformity and the individuality of the people who live there. I wonder what Evans was thinking when he made it. Perhaps he was struck by the idea of workers and their families living in these company houses. It's interesting how he captures the texture of the houses and the surrounding landscape, the weathered wood and overgrown grass. There's a sense of quiet dignity in the way he depicts these simple homes. The composition reminds me of other photographers who documented the lives of ordinary people, like the work of Robert Frank. Evans' photo feels like a small, humble act, but it speaks volumes about the lives of working people. Artists are always in dialogue with each other across time, building on each other's ideas and insights. And sometimes, the most powerful statements are the ones that embrace simplicity and honesty.