Man seated in automobile--Pasadena, California 1956

This photograph, Man seated in automobile--Pasadena, California, was taken by Robert Frank. It shows a man sitting in his car at the intersection of a street. Everything is still: the man with his head in his hand, the trash can on the sidewalk, the other cars waiting to pass. I like to imagine Robert Frank driving around, looking at the city. What was he thinking when he took this shot? What did he see in this one moment? What made him think "That's the one"? It is a quiet photograph. It makes me reflect upon the passing of time. It reminds me of other photographers and painters who look at everyday scenes with a sense of hope and loss. I think of someone like Fairfield Porter. All these artists are in a constant dialogue with one another, observing and questioning each other's works. They inspire new generations of artists to see the world anew.