San Francisco 1999

Eli Reed made this silver gelatin print, "San Francisco", and it's a testament to the power of observation and the beauty of monochrome. There's a palpable texture to this image; the way the light catches on the man's skin, the weight of that chain, and the soft blur of the background all suggest a moment captured, not constructed. Looking at the rendering of his face, it’s not just about the sharp focus, it's about the subtle gradations of tone, from the deep shadows under his cap to the highlights on his cheekbones. It feels as though he is looking into the middle distance, pondering something serious. This piece reminds me of the work of Roy DeCarava, who also found poetry in the everyday through black and white photography. But where DeCarava might focus on form, Reed captures something more immediate and emotionally raw, a slice of life that feels both intimate and universal.