Meudon 1928

This photograph of Meudon was taken by Andre Kertesz at an unknown date, using black and white film. I love how Kertesz captured this fleeting moment of life against the industrial revolution. He makes great use of the tones available, ranging from soft grey to crisp black. The bridge creates a strong horizon line, its sturdy archways juxtaposed with the smokestack of the train running above. But down below, the details feel very tangible, from the peeling plaster on the walls to the man hauling the newspapers up the street. The more I look, the more I find myself thinking of Eugène Atget. They both understood the beauty in the everyday. There is something almost accidental in the composition, but I have a feeling that this moment was carefully constructed, a perfect slice of life caught on film.