Wabash Avenue, Chicago 1959

Editor: Here we have Harry Callahan's "Wabash Avenue, Chicago," a black and white photograph. The high contrast really strikes me; it's almost film noir. What formal elements stand out to you? Curator: The stark contrast is indeed key. Callahan masterfully manipulates light and shadow. Notice how the figures are reduced to silhouettes, becoming graphic elements within the larger composition. The linear architecture also creates a grid-like structure, further emphasizing form over narrative. Editor: So, it's more about the shapes and lines than the people themselves? Curator: Precisely. It is the arrangement of these elements that conveys meaning, not necessarily the depiction of a specific scene or event. The formal interplay speaks to a certain urban alienation, wouldn't you agree? Editor: I see that now. I was so focused on the content, I almost missed the composition. Curator: It's a careful balance, and one that invites repeated viewing.