Village scene--Filming "Steibruch" 1942

This grainy photograph by Robert Frank captures a village scene, "Filming Steibruch," sometime in the mid-20th century. I imagine Frank, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment. The composition feels like a slice of life, caught unawares. The subjects are the film crew and local people. They are grouped together in a tight huddle, busy with their own activities. The buildings lean in, framing the scene with their heavy timbers and shuttered windows. What was Frank trying to say? Was he drawn to the energy of the film set, or was he more interested in the quiet lives of the villagers? Perhaps he saw a tension between these two worlds, a clash of cultures playing out in this small Swiss town. He is prompting us to consider the impact of media on everyday life. Photography is an exchange. Frank gives us a moment in time, and we bring our own experiences to bear on the image. It's a collaboration, really, a conversation across time and space.