City of London 7 1952 - 1953

Robert Frank’s ‘City of London 7’ is a photographic contact sheet presenting multiple frames that capture a moment in time. What I love about this piece is how Frank presents the raw, unedited version of his work. It's like he's saying, "Here's a glimpse into my process, my way of seeing." The act of selecting a single image feels almost violent when you see all the options laid bare. You start imagining the artist's thought process. Which frame spoke to him the most? What did he want to convey? Why? The numbered frames and the marks drawn around a particular photograph emphasize that choice is so central to image-making. By showing us this, Frank acknowledges that art isn't about perfection, but about decisions made in the moment. So, in this piece, Frank really invites us to contemplate the choices inherent in photography. It's an invitation to slow down and consider the many possibilities contained within a single moment. And maybe that’s something we can all learn from.