Four women before gate, Paris 1951

Robert Frank’s "Four women before gate, Paris" is a powerful and candid photograph that captures the essence of street photography. Taken in 1951, the image depicts four women standing before an ornate iron gate, their expressions both guarded and curious. The use of a wide-angle lens and a low camera angle creates a sense of intimacy, as if the viewer is standing right next to the women. The composition is simple yet striking, with the women positioned in a line against the backdrop of the gate and the building behind it. Frank’s use of natural light and shadows highlights the textures of the scene, from the women's clothing to the ironwork of the gate. This iconic image, one of many from Frank's groundbreaking book "The Americans", captures the everyday lives of ordinary people in post-war America.