New York 1987

Rosalind Solomon made this black and white photograph, titled 'New York', using gelatin silver printing, a process widely adopted in the late 19th century. This technique involves coating paper with light-sensitive silver halides, capturing a range of tones from deep blacks to bright whites. The resulting image is raw and immediate. It's as much about the textures of skin, the sheen of metal, and the matte quality of the urban landscape seen through the window as it is about the man himself. Solomon's choice of gelatin silver reflects her commitment to documentary style, contrasting with the slick, commercialized images typical of the time. The image feels unvarnished, like an authentic slice of life captured with a simple, straightforward technique. By embracing this medium, she elevates the everyday, inviting viewers to see beauty and depth in the ordinary. It reminds us that the most compelling art often lies in the simplest of materials and processes, and the stories they can tell about people and places.