Pierce Arrow, New York 1946

Todd Webb made this photograph, Pierce Arrow, New York, using gelatin silver. The high-contrast monochrome turns the image into a play of geometric forms. The process here is all about light, and the forms that it reveals. I love the way the fire escape becomes almost an abstract shape. The shadows transform the metal stairs into this angular, graphic design. You know, it’s like the city is made up of these accidental compositions, just waiting to be noticed. There's a tension between the industrial grid of the fire escape and the curve of the car. The man walking under the stairs becomes part of the scene, a shadow figure, like a ghost. Looking at this, I’m reminded of the work of Charles Sheeler, who also found beauty in the hard edges of urban and industrial landscapes. Ultimately, Webb's photograph reminds us that art isn't just about depicting things perfectly; it's about seeing the world in a new way.