Birmingham Boarding House 1936

Walker Evans made this photograph, Birmingham Boarding House, at an unknown date with black and white film. Look at the way that the ornate carved posts of the porch are rendered in tones of grey, it’s like a masterclass in how to describe light, form, and texture through tonal variation alone. There's a depth to this monochrome palette that makes it feel almost tactile. Notice the brickwork at the bottom of the image, rough hewn and pitted. It speaks of the touch of the human hand. Then the smooth finish of the columns. Look at the very top corner of the building. See the clothes hanging out to dry? The everyday nature of this intimate detail speaks volumes about the lives lived within those walls. I’m reminded of the work of Bernd and Hilla Becher, who photographed industrial structures with a similarly detached yet deeply empathetic eye. This image isn't just about what is depicted, it's about how we see, how we feel, and how we connect with the world around us.