Alfred Stieglitz photographed the changing of Park Avenue South in New York in 1910. This image stuck out to me because the difference in how the city looks now vs. in this picture is astonishing, yet this photograph was taken to show how it was changing in the year 1910. It just made me realize how fast the world started to change. But for me, the big changes that I have experienced have been the extreme advancements in technology. In 1910, the fact that there was a new building being built on Park Avenue signified a huge change for not only this street, but the whole city. It symbolized that the old New York would be slowly taken over by the new New York. However, just the difference in developments is fascinating and mind blowing. Stieglitz captured this moment beautifully through his use of film. We see a row of bushes at the bottom of the foreground. We also see some old carriage cars and some people walking in hats. As you reach the center of the image, there is a row of buildings or town houses on the horizon followed by a larger building on the right to it. Some of the buildings are darker than others based on the shadows. Then we are enticed by the scaffolding in the background above the line of the buildings. The elements of the structure looks as though it is emerging from the fog and haze of the sky. The colors contrast just enough against each other, that the building is somewhat visible. The way in which the colors and elements of the image blend with one another creates for a very haunting and powerful image. This image proves relevant to digital artists because they can see the way in which film cameras can create a very deep and aesthetic black and white image. It inspires digital artists to try new things with lighting and changing the overall feel of an image which is done so well in the photograph above. I believe it is commenting on the way in which new construction and changes to the city start to change the charming feel of the old New York and it is a sudden and difficult adjustment, especially back then. This message can also be very relevant to digital photographers in capturing images of city life that can hold more depth and meaning based solely on how ones image looks.
Good selection and comparison between changes then and now!