Bruce Davidson's Subway | TateShots

In the 1980s the Subway in New York was poorly run, poorly lit and considered dangerous. Photographer Bruce Davidson decided to head underground to embark on what he called 'a voyage of discovery'. In Davidson's own words, 'I wanted to transform the subway from its dark, degrading, and impersonal reality into images that open up our experience again to the colour, sensuality, and vitality of the individual souls that ride it each day.' With its striking portraits ranging from gang members to a blind man, Subway is considered one of the finest photography projects ever completed. From his home in New York, Davidson talked to TateShots about the series.

[@rembeadgc]

Certain people can photograph certain things like no one else can. The beauty of photography. The mystery of humanity.

[@pbasswil]

Love the way he articulates his point of view. Words or images, they both express his unusually receptive and life-loving mind.

[@bearpitrock]

I saw this exhibition last year in Liverpool. It was the first time I was in awe of such raw street images.

[@JaleelKing]

This was the best 3 mins of my time today! Loved it!

[@larrymccready5636]

Love all his work. He is very intelligent and thoughtful. A treasure.

[@gugughama]

What an inspiring man he is ! These images are so special

[@connectingthedots100]

Great photos.

[@markrowe5992]

Excellent images too.

[@melodymoraguez8912]

i love his photos

[@sinthailim4848]

Mr Bruce Davidson, I still have a signed copy of this book. I wish you well.

[@zpotek]

So much mood

[@TheKffb]

dude is .... such a FUCKING legend

[@Pranawood]

A true photographer never removes his vest

[@torystrending7285]

Wow this is great!

[@smartti1970]

Bruce Davidson eut le même projet dans les années 1980, mais en couleurs et parfois avec l’usage d’un flash. Il explique qu’il se savait dans une posture risquée. Le métro new-yorkais de cette époque n’était pas un lieu sûr, "surtout si vous vous baladiez avec un appareil photo cher autour du cou", se rappelle-t-il. Mais il n’hésitait pas à parler aux gens qu’il prenait en photo, notamment lorsqu’il se sentait intrusif. source focusnumérique

[@lokyinphotography]

I'm always curious how he get that gun point shot. Now I got it. XD

[@Sab_MJsMama]

thanks for the animal comment, ya old timer.

[@아파띠맨]

1:25

[@synthesaurus]

ISO 64! And today people who produce useless photos bitch about cameras that can shoot easily at iso 6400

[@lauraeiriarte]

Well ISO 64 with a flash less than a meter from the subject seems perfect... the technical aspect of anything is just to be able to make what one sees ( in the mind ).... the rest is inside of us all.