Untitled c. 1912

This photograph, by Lewis Hine, uses light to create a world that feels both real and dreamlike. The limited tonal range, almost monochromatic, gives a sense of historical distance, a stark reminder of a time far removed from our own. Look at the surface of the image itself; it's not just what's depicted, but how the light falls and fades that tells the story. The softness, verging on blurriness, around the edges makes the figures seem almost ghostlike, as if they are caught between worlds. The girls crossing the road are real, yet the way they are captured evokes a sense of fragility and transition. Hine's work, like that of Walker Evans, shows us the power of the photographic image to document and transform reality, proving that art is not just about perfect representation but about creating a space for empathy and reflection.