Untitled, Sidewalk c. 1970

Joseph Mills made this photograph, Untitled, Sidewalk, using black and white film, catching a moment on the street, probably in the 70's or 80's. It’s all about observation and noticing the shadows and shapes created by ordinary things. What I love about this photograph is the way Mills captures the light as it hits the sidewalk. It’s almost like he's painting with light and shadow. The shadows of the figures walking by become these long, abstract shapes that interact with the geometry of the sidewalk itself. The newspaper discarded on the floor forms a kind of collage, catching the sun. There's something about the contrast between the dark shadows and the bright highlights that gives the image a sense of drama and mystery. It reminds me of the street photography of Garry Winogrand, who had a similar ability to find beauty in the everyday. Art is all about seeing the world in new ways and recognizing the poetry in the mundane.