14ème, Fête Foraine, Paris 1951

This small photograph was taken by Robert Frank in Paris. It has a grainy quality, which makes it feel raw and unrehearsed. The composition is simple, two people in a bumper car, their expressions caught in a moment of pure joy. What strikes me is the contrast between the spontaneity of the subjects and the careful control of the medium. The tonal range is so subtle, the way the light catches the curve of the bumper car, the way their faces are illuminated. It’s almost painterly. Look at the woman's face on the left. Her mouth is open in laughter, her eyes crinkled at the corners. It's such an intimate moment, as if we've stumbled upon something private. It reminds me of the work of Garry Winogrand. They both had this knack for capturing the messy, unposed reality of life. You get the sense that art is an ongoing conversation. It's about building on what came before, while still finding your own voice.