Eddie on Third Avenue at 52nd Street, New York City Possibly 1948 - 1981

Louis Faurer made this photograph, Eddie on Third Avenue at 52nd Street, New York City, using a gelatin silver process. This choice of material is important. Unlike a painting, where every mark is consciously made, photography captures a specific moment, seemingly without intervention. But of course, the photographer still makes choices – about composition, lighting, and, crucially, subject matter. Faurer was drawn to the everyday realities of urban life, with a particular empathy for those on the margins. He sought out materials that could reflect the raw, grainy textures of the city, and the emotional states of its inhabitants. The image’s tonal range, from deep shadows to bright highlights, speaks to the precarity of urban existence. The visible grain reminds us of the chemical process involved, a kind of alchemy that transforms light into a lasting image. In this way, Faurer’s work challenges traditional distinctions between observation and artistic intervention, highlighting the social significance inherent in his chosen materials and methods.