New York from the Shelton 1935

Alfred Stieglitz made this photograph, New York from the Shelton, with a camera and photographic paper, though when exactly isn’t known. What’s striking is the almost painterly quality he coaxes out of this black and white image. Look at how the dark, looming building on the right asserts itself—it’s a solid, sculptural form. The tonal range is incredible, from the velvety blacks of the foreground to the delicate grays that define the more distant skyscrapers. The texture feels almost tactile. See how the light gently grazes the Shelton hotel, picking out every little detail in the architecture? It’s a dance of light and shadow, form and void. The way he plays with depth reminds me of the urban landscapes of the painter, Edward Hopper, a kindred spirit. Photography is about seeing, and Stieglitz invites us to see New York, not just as a place, but as an experience.