After looking at photos produced by many photographers, I decided to pick Paul Strand’s “Wire Wheel.” Strand was born in America on October 16, 1890, and died on March 31, 1976 at the age of 85. He grew up in New York City, got married three times, and had very leftist political views. This drastically conflicted with the 1950’s conservatism of the United States. His work was very diverse. Some of his photos are of people, while others are of scenes. His work helped establish the significance of photography as an art during his time. This was very significant because art wasn’t recognized properly. He even touched on videography; his first film was Manahatta.

Out of the two photos I picked from Strand’s photography, I picked the first photo out of the two because my opinion of it changed the more I looked at it. At first, I thought that it was simply a picture of a wheel (as per the title). However, I eventually realized that the photo wasn’t just of a wheel, but part of a car. This element of surprise surely tricked me and definitely deceived my eye. When presenting to the class, they agreed with me, and felt the same, too. This drew me to the photo and made me want to analyze it further. It’s extremely interesting to recognize how easily deceived we are as humans. I was so focused on the wheel that I didn’t look at the light or shadows that clearly depicted a car.

Talking about photos is difficult because it’s hard to translate how someone feels about a visual picture into actual words. Additionally, it’s hard to even know exactly what the photographer was trying to do, why he was doing it, and any messages he/she was trying to convey. However, by observing the visual elements, design, and feelings/mood of the photograph, we can draw conclusions and make inferences.

There are many visual elements within this photograph. There is clearly a relationship between the light, wheel, and frame in this picture. They’re all necessary for the car, that is pictured, to function. The lighting seems to be natural. It is soft, and it creates subtle shadows, so it’s probably mid-afternoon. Although it’s not ultra-luminous, you can tell that there is a range from light to dark because of the shadows. The darkest part is the middle of the wheel. The lightest is the car headlight. There isn’t much space in this photo. The picture was taken up close, focusing on the entire image, and preventing a sense of over-crowdedness in this photo (like a close-up). The vantage point is ambiguous due to the angle at which the photo was captured. Was it taken five feet away? Is it zoomed in? Closer to the ground or closer tot he top of the car? These are all questions that we do not know the answers to.

There are several geometric shapes in this photo. The wheel and light are both circular, while the frame of the car is bulky and curvy. The lines from the wires of the wheel are thin in comparison to the rest of the photo. These are clear shapes. Rectangles, circles, and curves make this photo what it is. There aren’t many colors because this photo is in the sepia filter. Dimension is created through shading. There aren’t many apparent textures. However, you can tell that the car is old.

Although the vantage point is ambiguous, photos are taken in the way that they are taken on purpose. This photo was probably taken straight on, and very close to the car. The angle affects the photo because you can’t see the floor, sky, or any people (if there are any) around. This could’ve been taken outside or inside. People could be in the front seat and around town, or there could be none at all. The angle leaves many questions for the observer of this photo. There is a frame around this photo. It cuts off the rest of the car and the people or other objects that are surrounding the car. When I first looked at the photo, I initially noticed the wire wheel. The contrast in color draws your eye there because it is the lightest part of the picture. The other sense of interest is the light because it is also very bright in comparison to the rest of the photo. Like stated earlier, there are strong differences between the colors. Although elements aren’t repeated, there is a sense of unity because they all correspond. The headlight, body, and wheel all make up the car that is in the picture. There is a variety of values, shapes, and textures. The value depends on how you look at it and what you would like to personally focus on. The contrasting shapes also create depth and add value to this photo. The visual weight is pretty even.

Even though the photo’s title refers to the wheel, the photo means much more. The car depicted was vital during this time period. In 1885, Karl Benz invented the first automobile. By the 1920’s, Henry Ford created mass-production techniques to produce large amounts of cars at the same time. This photo was taken in 1917. At this time, cars were becoming more and more popular every day. “Duchamp and Picabia had introduced machines into American art when they arrived in New York in 1915, and automobiles capable of going fifty miles an hour were everywhere” (The Met). They were still pricy because mass production wasn’t yet invented. Alfred Stieglitz noted that “Just at the present the sole ambition seems to be to roll about, day in and day out, every moment in [these] machines. Literally a rolling around in the present symbol of wealth” (The Met). Strand loved cars ever since he was young (The Met). He must’ve had money, or knew people who did, in order to photograph this car. Or, maybe he was just taking photos of a random car he saw on the street… Who knows?

Anyways, it’s important to highlight the significance of cars in New York City. The first subway line was operated by the Inter-borough Rapid Transit Company (IRT) and that began in 1904 (History par 2). The “IRT service expanded to the Bronx in 1905, to Brooklyn in 1908 and to Queens in 1915” (History par 3). As time went on, subways were becoming more popular. However, there weren’t many lines in 1917 (when this photo was taken). So, the development of cars was clearly significant and necessary. Machines (cars) were “quintessential symbols of modern life in the early twentieth century” (The Met).

Photography is a beautiful form of art. Since Strand started photography so early, he was one of the first major photographers; he helped pave the way for photographers today. Many things should be taken into consideration when analyzing art. Light, shapes, and contrast are only a few things you should focus on. By analyzing art, you are able to infer things about the photo and draw conclusions. Photographs all tell a story. The title of this photo is “Wire Wheel.” Clearly, the photo revolves around this wheel. It must be connected to the rest of the car that it’s part of. This is significant because when this was taken, in 1917, cars were becoming more popular. They were expensive, and the wealthy used them. According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, “Strand, interested in mechanics and cars since childhood, made photographs with the sensuousness of a youth running his hand over the voluptuous fenders of his dream machine” (The Met). This is super exciting because it adds even more character to the story behind this photo. It also gives us a deeper glimpse into the life of Paul Strand– a boy who was clearly very interested in cars. That must be one of the reasons why he took this photo.

Over the past couple of months, I would definitely say that I now know New York City way more than I once did. Growing up, I came to Manhattan once, maybe twice, a year. Every year, one of my aunts buys my sisters and I tickets to see a Broadway play. She takes us out to dinner, and then we get to go watch the play. Other than that, I really don’t visit the city often. In high school, I began coming more frequently because I came with my friends. However, we really didn’t come that much.

When college decision day came and I chose Macaulay at CCNY to be the place where I would spend my next four years, I was extremely excited because I knew I would be dorming. Therefore, I knew I would be living in New York City! Although I had no idea what train went where, I was eager to learn. I knew I would make tons of memories here, and I couldn’t wait to start.

Living here has been a blessing and I can’t wait to see what else stems from it! I am extremely thankful to Professor Drabik and Macaulay for allowing me to experience the amazing Arts of NYC because they’re all really unforgettable.

I have attached some photos of memories that I have made here thus far. Some were made from watching shows with my Macaulay class and experiencing “The Arts in NYC” and others were made on my own either alone or with other friends! Please enjoy, and don’t mind the silly faces! 

Works Cited
“New York City Subway Opens.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/new-york-city-subway-opens.
“[Wire Wheel] | Paul Strand | 49.55.318 | Work of Art | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art.” The Met’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/49.55.318/.