That Berenice Abbott really had an incredible eye for the way light and shadow can transform a building. A photographer working in the early 20th century, Abbott got her start as a darkroom assistant at her pal Man Ray’s portrait studio in Montparnasse, and would later make a name for herself with her stunning images of New York City’s architecture — in many cases capturing shots of older buildings that would later be destroyed. It was this passion that would ultimately lead to Changing New York, her government-funded documentary project which we spotted thanks to a post on Retronaut. Venture back in time with some of our favorite shots from the series.
Photo credit: Berenice Abbott courtesy of New York Public Library
Photo credit: Berenice Abbott courtesy of New York Public Library
Photo credit: Berenice Abbott courtesy of New York Public Library
Photo credit: Berenice Abbott courtesy of New York Public Library
Photo credit: Berenice Abbott courtesy of New York Public Library
Photo credit: Berenice Abbott courtesy of New York Public Library
Photo credit: Berenice Abbott courtesy of New York Public Library
Photo credit: Berenice Abbott courtesy of New York Public Library
Photo credit: Berenice Abbott courtesy of New York Public Library
Photo credit: Berenice Abbott courtesy of New York Public Library
Photo credit: Berenice Abbott courtesy of New York Public Library
Photo credit: Berenice Abbott courtesy of New York Public Library
Photo credit: Berenice Abbott courtesy of New York Public Library
Photo credit: Berenice Abbott courtesy of New York Public Library
Photo credit: Berenice Abbott courtesy of New York Public Library