Street Closed 1975

Roy DeCarava made this photograph, ‘Street Closed,’ using black and white film. The picture plane is filled with signs, buildings, and cars, all rendered in shades of grey. I can imagine DeCarava framing this shot, looking for the right balance between the signs in the foreground and the architecture in the background. He’s creating a composition out of urban grit. It’s all about layering. There’s a sign that says, “Streets for People,” but the street is closed! Irony, right? DeCarava's known for his sensitivity to light and shadow, his ability to find beauty in everyday scenes. Think about the way he coaxes so much tonality out of a restricted palette. It’s a reminder that complexity isn’t always about adding more, sometimes it’s about seeing more in what’s already there. DeCarava and other photographers remind us to slow down and look closely. The world is always changing, and there’s always something new to see, even in the most familiar places.