Oakland, California 1961

William Carter’s black and white photograph ‘Oakland, California’ captures three figures pressed up against a diamond patterned chainlink fence. It’s a simple composition, yet it draws you in with a sense of mystery. I can imagine Carter positioning himself just so, waiting for a moment to capture this scene. What was it like to stand there, watching these young people? What were they looking at, peering through the fence? Are they in or are they out? The play of light and shadow creates a stark contrast, emphasizing the texture of the fence and the figures pressed against it. There is a real tension in the way the bodies are positioned. The composition reminds me of the work of other street photographers from that era. Like them, Carter seems interested in capturing the mundane aspects of everyday life and transforming them into something meaningful. It's a good one.