Untitled c. 1970

Mikki Ferrill made this Untitled photograph sometime in the 20th century. It's a black and white image, so the marks are made by light and shadow rather than by colour. The tones range from bright highlights to deep, velvety blacks, giving the whole scene a kind of film noir feeling. The surface is full of activity. Look at how the light catches the edges of things, like the stacks of chairs, or the rim of a hat. And the faces in the crowd! Each one tells its own story. Notice the woman in the center, with her quizzical expression. What's she thinking? The composition is really interesting too. The way Ferrill uses depth and perspective makes you feel like you're right there in the crowd. It reminds me a little of Garry Winogrand's street photography, just capturing a slice of life as it unfolds. Ultimately, it’s about seeing the beauty and complexity in the everyday.