Subway by Bruce Davidson
Bruce Davidson was born in 1933 and has been doing photography since he was a young child. He is known for photography during many civil rights movements and primarily has taken photos in New York City. He was drafted into the army and spent a significant amount of time in Paris.
Lighting creates balance and symmetry
More modern displaying a similarity of clothing and lighting where as older photographs show a distinct difference between this photo in terms of racial inequality. Because of these similarities, the appear to be of equal status. Their clothes are the same, their figures are shaped the same, and their facial expressions are the same. They are almost a mirror reflection of each other. In Davidsons previous photography, there is a gap between races which makes the viewer more aware of the time period. In this photography, the time period is blurred because of the equality of the men.
This photograph was from his series taken in 1980 of the New York subway. This image shows the the gritty and raw lives of new yorkers. The series shows a variety of races, classes, genders, and ages.
The "Please keep hands off the door" in the background is ironic because the viewer can clearly see the men leaning up against the doors and there is also visible graffiti. This can also be a metaphor for the way these men might not always be accepted in other places or situations. The subway car can represent two things. It can be considered a space of tranquility and equality since everyone uses the subway. However it can also be seen as a cage that they are trapped in.
I feel like it captures the entire time period of the 1980's in one photograph. With their tight, sleeveless, "guardian angel" shirts, the trucker hat, fro, mustache, boxed glasses, and studded belt. The technology of the subway cart also proves this photograph was taken in the 80's.
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