Fence and Houses, Gaspé 1929

"Fence and Houses, Gaspé" (1929) is a striking example of Paul Strand's straight photography, which emphasizes sharp focus and a minimalist composition. The image captures a simple scene of rural life, with a white picket fence foregrounding a cluster of weathered wooden houses. The stark black and white tones and the carefully chosen perspective highlight the subject’s texture and form, creating a sense of both beauty and isolation. This photograph, along with Strand's other works, helped to establish modern photography as a respected art form in the early 20th century.