This photo, by Henri Cartier-Bresson, was taken in Manhattan. However, it is not the typical photo we expect to see of Manhattan, because this part of New York City is busy, crowded, and full of noise. Only in rare moments is there a sense of solitude, like this photo captures. As a result of this, one could dismiss this simply as an alley, which is synonymous with dark and danger. Here in this photo, there is darkness. Upon closer inspection, however, there is light filtering in between the shadows of the close-set building walls, providing a new perspective on what an alley is like. Cartier-Bresson’s attention to detail, in this photograph, changes the typical side of New York City that people expect to see or hear about.

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Henri Cartier-Bresson, as usual, makes a statement. There is an uninterrupted moment of peace and tenderness observed between the human and animal that is not associated with New York City. This picture is an untold story. Could it be that this person found a stray alley cat and decided to sit down before it? Or is it that he or she, having a rough day, is approached by this small animal? Regardless of the actual situation, in this small space, it appears to me that the cat and the person have come to an understanding, and there is no fear here.