Lincoln Ave. c. 1950

Harry Callahan made this photograph, Lincoln Ave., using black and white film, and what strikes me is how he coaxes a whole world of grays to life. It's all about light and shadow, seeing how those interact. Look at the shop window – it's not just a flat surface, but a kind of portal. Callahan captures not only the objects inside, but also the reflections of the street outside. It's like he's folding different realities on top of each other, a sort of painterly collage. The textures are incredible, from the smooth glass to the rough brick, it’s all carefully considered. Callahan reminds me of Walker Evans, or even Eugène Atget, artists who found poetry in the everyday. It's not just about documenting what's there, but about seeing the world with fresh eyes, full of curiosity. He turns the ordinary into something extraordinary, a testament to the beauty of seeing.