11th Street story 45/People You Don't See 8 1951

This is a black and white photograph by Robert Frank, part of his series "People You Don't See." Frank captured these images using a handheld 35mm Leica camera. The filmstrip format allows us to glimpse the raw, sequential nature of his photographic process, a direct approach to street photography. The material itself – film – is crucial. Its inherent graininess and the high contrast create a gritty, documentary feel. Look closely, and you can see the indexical nature of photography, recording everyday life. The images offer a social commentary, capturing the unsung lives of ordinary people. By using photography, a medium readily accessible and mass-produced, Frank democratized art-making. He elevated the quotidian into art, challenging conventional aesthetics. Ultimately, Frank's work urges us to reconsider the value we place on the materials and methods of art creation. His photographs blur the lines between the act of 'making', social observation, and artistic expression.