From My Window at An American Place, North 1930 - 1931

Alfred Stieglitz made this gelatin silver print, From My Window at An American Place, North, at an unknown date. What I love about black and white photography is how it uses light to define the scene. Like a painter mixing tones, Stieglitz coaxes depth and mood from the interplay of dark and light. The contrasts in this image are stark. The shadows feel heavy, substantial, almost like another layer of architecture. Look how the light catches the edges of the buildings, defining their geometry against the sky. The texture of the buildings, the arrangement of windows and rooftops; all of these details build up a complex surface. It’s like he’s not just showing us a view, but making us feel the density, the weight, and the organized chaos of the city. It’s a way of seeing, thinking, and feeling the world that's both immediate and timeless. The image reminds me of the work of Berenice Abbott, another photographer deeply engaged with the urban landscape. Both artists capture the city as a living, breathing thing, full of endless stories.