Bruce Davidson

Bruce Davidson, 100th Street, Harlem

Upon looking through Bruce Davidson's collection I really wanted to be able to talk about each of his works but this one in particularly stood out. It might have been added to the effect of the music I was listening too (talking about the world being crazy - all that jazz) but his work has no issue coming across as powerful and intense. He really is able to capture the strength of the people he photographs and brings a strong contrast between their resiliance and the environment that is all around them of poverty and hardship.

What struck me the most about this picture is its masterful use of perspective and composition. Using the wall as a clear divider and seperating the two different worlds on either side. It really makes one question what it means to be on either side. What is shelter for those living in this environment? Does the inside mean safety or is it more of a frantic cling to what they want their world to be like "safe" whether that is reality or not? What does the outer world, in contrast, mean? The environment looking harsh and whethered creates a strong implication as to how the world feels to people who are in this position.

This image reminds me of what it feels like to look inside yourself and have to make a decision with no easy path ahead. It reminds me of the feeling of doing what you need to do to survive leading to a feeling of injustice. It is not fair that these people are forced to live in such a harsh and cruel world in these run down buildings on dirty streets when so many others can have the security of living in a well built, new house in the safety of the suburbs leading cushioned lives. More likely than not they did not do anything to put themselves there but were rather born into it and stuck in this cycle, living oppressed and in poverty.

But they do it, regardless, because they have too.