This is a picture of downtown Milwaukee at the end of the 19th century(photographer unknown). This picture really grabs my attention because I'm a big fan of old pictures of towns. I come from a mining town and I've always loved looking at pictures of the area from years ago, how it all looked back then and comparing it to what that same "picture" would look like today.I especially like how it's a snapshot of downtown Milwaukee and yet it captures so much. I like how it looks as though time has been frozen for a moment. You can tell the streets are full of people and everyone has somewhere to be, but yet it's as though everyone stopped for a split second. I think the vantage point played a key role in this picture. It looks as though the it was taken from a few stories up and shooting straight across the street. At first my eyes go straight to the front building and then follows the buildings back towards the right. It feels like the two streets have framed in those buildings, like they're the focal point of the picture.
Oh, yes. It's an amazing picture. The way the photographer managed to catch the movements, the framing and definately the composition inside the frame - all that reminds me of the works created by impressionists. Just can't help it. The very scene reminds the composition that impresionists very often used to depict the streets of Paris. Painters used to choose a special place to look from above on the beloved city(usually the second-third floor of a building in front of the street).
ReplyDeleteNot exactly the same composition but the idea of a street running far away, horses and very small figures of the pedastrians, who seem to be insignificant comparing to the buildings, is just the same with Camille Pissarro
http://cor.edu.27.ru/dlrstore/2b524a46-00a2-4115-a836-365aad954cac/Bulvar_Monmartr_v_Parizhe.jpg
You found a very good example of how incredible 19th century photography was.
I am a little speechless. I love how the photo has something going on almost everywhere you look. I had mentioned once that these images remind me that there was live over 100 years ago. I just keep imagining that around this time, there was none of what I see in this photograph. I always imagined dirt roads and farms. I was at a CVS the other day and they were selling a photo of Annandale Virginia from back in the early 1900's. I blew my mind away because I could point out the roads that drive on a regular basis. What I love about the photo you presented is the use of horses on the streets.
ReplyDeleteI really love how this picture captivates the busyness of this downtown area. Since the vantage point is up so high, it seems like you can see everything. And I will agree with you about liking to see pictures of familiar places from the old days. Just to see what has changed and what hasn't.
ReplyDeleteYou have explained clearly why you chose this photograph. This is a great example for vantage point and frame! The vantage point, especially, is key here. looking at this image, I have the sensation of hovering over this busy street.
ReplyDelete