Vicksburg, Mississippi c. 1936

Walker Evans made this gelatin silver print, "Vicksburg, Mississippi" sometime in the middle of the 20th century. The subdued grey tones and close framing of these two men, leaning against a wall, invite a deep focus on the details of form and texture. I'm drawn to the way Evans captures the surface of things. The rough-hewn texture of the wall contrasts with the softer fabrics of their clothes. If you look closely, you can see the way light plays across the planes of their faces, and the subtle tonal variations that give form to their hats. There's something about the way the light catches the brim of the hat on the right that feels really special. The photograph invites you to consider not only what is depicted, but also how it is depicted, the physical qualities of the print itself. Evans reminds me a bit of the painter Fairfield Porter in that both artists remind us of the simple beauty of everyday life. In the end, art, like life, is less about answers and more about the questions we ask along the way.