Lusetti Family, Luzzara, Italy 1953

Paul Strand's "Lusetti Family, Luzzara, Italy" is a photograph that captures a moment in time, but it’s also about how we see. Look at the way Strand plays with light and shadow, the textures of the walls, the clothing, the faces. It’s all there, clear and sharp. Strand’s use of light is particularly interesting. See how it highlights the faces, bringing out every line and contour? The contrast between the light and shadow gives the image depth and drama, but it also reveals the stark realities of their lives. Look at the way the light hits the wall, exposing every crack and imperfection. Strand was working around the same time as the German photographer, August Sander, who also made documentary portraits of people in the early twentieth century. Both of them were interested in showing the dignity and humanity of ordinary people, but their approaches were different. Sander was more detached and scientific, while Strand was more intimate and emotional. For me, it’s not just a picture, it's a conversation, an exchange of ideas.