Blind Woman, New York c. 1916 - 1929

This photograph, Blind Woman, New York, was captured by Paul Strand, who used light and shadow like they were tangible materials. Think about how Strand’s process, the way he patiently waited and then clicked that shutter, is forever imprinted on this image. The way the light catches the edge of the stone wall behind her, and then softens as it touches her face, it’s like he’s sculpting her from darkness. Look at that sign, stark white with the word "BLIND." It’s almost too blunt, too declarative, isn't it? It clashes with the soft, weathered texture of her skin, the intricate knit of her shawl. The blacks are deep and velvety, swallowing details, while the whites glare with a stark intensity. There is something about the directness of Strand’s photographs and the social commentary of someone like Dorothea Lange. They were both working at a time when photography was finding its feet as a form of expression. Strand leaves us questioning what we see and how we see it.