London Bridge 1904

Alvin Langdon Coburn made this photograph of London Bridge, with its muted tones, back at the start of the 20th century. I can imagine Coburn with his camera, trying to capture the energy and rhythm of the city. This was a moment when photography was really exploring what it could do, and there was a lot of experimentation with light and focus. The figures crossing the bridge are blurred, giving the sense of movement, the hustle and bustle of modern life. You know, looking at this image, it makes me think about how artists are always playing with different ways of seeing. It's like they're constantly asking, "How can I show you something familiar in a way that you've never seen before?" Coburn does this by softening the details. It's a bit like a dream, and this feels very modern. Photography becomes a painting.