Brassai

Brassai was a journalist in the 1900's but had a passion for photography and was inspired by Paris to take photos to capture beautiful images of street culture, he wanted to "capture the beauty of streets and gardens in the rain and fog, and to capture Paris by night."

Brassai captured the essence of the city in his photographs, published as his first collection in 1933 book entitled Paris de nuit (Paris by Night). His book, gained great success, resulting in his being called "the eye of Paris" in an essay by his friend Henry Miller. In addition to photos of the seedier side of Paris, Brassai portrayed scenes from the life of the city's high society, its intellectuals, its ballet, and the grand operas. He had been befriended by a French family who gave him access to the upper classes.

I am inspired by his work because it captures parts of street culture that are not normally seen as interesting to look at, the lights and shadows and characters of people that are present in everyday life. It has really inspired for my own images that look at shadows and reflections.