New York City 1963

This photograph was taken in New York City by Garry Winogrand. It’s a black and white image, full of texture and the grainy feel of film. Winogrand wasn’t interested in perfection, more in the raw, off-the-cuff feel of real life as it’s happening. Look at the way the light catches the water in the pool, making these jittery lines. There’s a seal in there, looking back at us, and a bunch of people leaning over the railing, looking at the seal. The whole scene is caught at an angle, slightly tilted, which gives it this restless, anxious energy, like the world is always moving just a little too fast. Winogrand was known for capturing these kinds of fleeting moments, finding the strange beauty in everyday scenes. His photos often feel like snapshots, but they’re also carefully composed, with a real sense of rhythm and movement. He was interested in what things looked like photographed and the way photography could be used to make something happen. Think of him as a kind of poetic ancestor of street photography.