Brassai focused on capturing the beauty of Paris at night. He didn’t just take pictures of famous monuments or bright city lights, he looked at the ordinary and overlooked parts of the city. His photos show a lot of streets, cafes, fog, and people in a way that feels mysterious and even sinister. His photos teach me that photography isn’t just about being visually perfect, but it’s also about storytelling and mood. Brassai is good at making something ordinary feel extraordinary with the way he pays attention to the light, shadow, and composition of his photos.

Style of work:

Brassai is a street photographer, and focuses on street photography.

Context:

Brassai’s photography is somewhat like other 1930s photographers such as henri Cartier-Bresson, who also captured everyday Paris life, but his focus on the city at night made his work unique. Artists of that time wanted to show real, emotional scenes instead of just beauty, reacting to the changes and struggles after WWI. Paris’s culture was full of creativity with painters, writers, and musicians all influencing each other. Brassai was especially inspired by film and painting, which is clear in his use of light and shadow that make his black and white photos feel more expressive and less monotonous.

Opinion:

I personally already love Brassai’s photographs. I love the way they tell a story and capture a moment in time. I really like the way he uses light, and expression to show emotion, and his photographs of people give almost a sinister or malicious vibe, but still carry that natural beauty.