Bicycles and Graffiti, North Kensington 1957

This silver gelatin print was made by Roger Mayne, who photographed the streets of post-war Britain. Here, children’s chalk drawings snake across the pavement, interrupted by bicycle tires and anonymous legs. It's a study in contrasts. The bicycles are mass-produced, ubiquitous artifacts of industrialized society. The graffiti, in comparison, is ephemeral, hand-made, a pure expression of the imagination. Notice how Mayne's choice of black and white film emphasizes these qualities. It draws out the rough texture of the asphalt, the gleaming metal of the bikes, and the stark contrast between light and shadow. Look closely, and you can see how much work has gone into the surface of the photograph itself. The final print represents the culmination of a process – from the developing of the negative, to the careful selection of tone. Ultimately, the photograph reminds us of the value found in simple materials, everyday creativity, and the dialogue between the built environment and human expression.