Technique

Characteristics of his photos include the use of long exposures, a wide view enhancing space, and a limited range of scenes which avoided the bustling modern Paris

His antiqued technique and blurred use or lack of people suggested that his photos were taken early in the morning

He often used a wide-angle lens, did not care about faults in the photos, and preferred the older techniques

Vignetting (reduction of brightness or saturation at the corners) and ‘burning’ of his images was a common feature and he preferred to take photos from one point of view - only things on his eye level

(1992, p. 21-22)

(1983, p. 119)                         (1983, p. 93)

His photos are 'seductively and deceptively simple, wholly poised, reticent, dense with experience, mysterious, and true.'

(Atget Photography, no date)

Some can 'seem more picturesque, imaginative or formally inventive than others.'

(The Museum of Modern Art, 2014)

John Szarkowski talks about his technique on a more personal level in the short video below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOIBSIbHYc4

References:

Atget Photography (no date) Biography & Images. Available at: http://www.atgetphotography.com/The-Photographers/Eugene-Atget.html (Accessed: 10 February 2014).
Beaumont-Maillet, L. (1992) Atget's Paris. Unknown edn. London: Thames and Hudson Ltd.

The Museum of Modern Art (2014) Eugene Atget. Available at: http://www.moma.org/collection/artist.php?artist_id=229 (Accessed: 10 February 2014).
Szarkowski, J. and Morris Hamburg, M. (1983) The Work of Atget The Ancien Regime. Unknown edn. New York: The Museum of Modern Art.