São Januário Trolley c. early 1940s

Genevieve Naylor made this gelatin silver print, São Januário Trolley. It's a black and white photograph, a scene bustling with life. The image is filled edge to edge with people riding a trolley car—and hanging off it! I wonder what it was like to witness this scene, to capture it with a camera? I can only imagine the hustle and bustle, the heat, and the energy of the moment. Look how Naylor managed to capture so many people in such a small space; it's all about density and compression. There’s something so human about this image, about the way people come together and share experiences. This photograph feels like a slice of life, a celebration of people and movement. I find it interesting how, through a still image, Naylor conveys so much action and emotion. It reminds me of the work of other photographers who have captured the spirit of urban life, like Helen Levitt and Garry Winogrand.