Bruce Davidson: Subway

Bruce Davidson’s gritty photo-essay Subway was first published in 1986 and is considered by many to be a classic of photographic literature, capturing as it does a unique moment in New York City culture.

Throughout the book color and shadow converge to convey moments of urban experience that are alternately menacing, tender, festive and brooding. Davidson provides accompanying text which tells the story behind the photos, details his methods and expounds on his experiences and obsession with the subway.

Aperture recently released the third edition of the book, which contains an additional 25 images that were previously unpublished. You can get it here.

A few choice selections below…

View more of Bruce Davidson’s work at Magnum Photos.

Buy a copy of Subway at Aperture.