Parade c. 1945

Robert Frank’s silver gelatin print, "Parade," captures a moment, like a painter might, trying to freeze time. I imagine Frank, camera in hand, right there in the thick of it, jostling amongst the crowd. It’s all hats and uniforms, flags and faces, a blur of humanity, a sea of individuals. The tones are rich and varied, from the light sky to the deep shadows. Look at how the composition is structured, not quite symmetrical, not quite balanced, a little off-kilter. It is a slice of life, raw and unvarnished. This little print has a connection with the work of other street photographers like Garry Winogrand, who were drawn to the poetry of everyday life. But, in common with painters, Frank encourages us to embrace ambiguity and accept that there might not be a single, definitive reading. What does it mean? Well, what do you think?