New York City no number 1954

Robert Frank made this photographic contact sheet called "New York City no number" sometime in the 20th century, though we don't know exactly when. Look at the way Frank's laid out all these different frames, kinda organized, kinda not. It's like a storyboard, but instead of a movie, it's more like a feeling. The whole thing is in black and white, which gives it this timeless, gritty feel. It's about the texture, the grain, the light hitting the surface of the film. Check out the third row, those kids, walking down the street, holding hands. It’s blurry, like they’re moving too fast to really see, or maybe Frank just wants to give you the sense of motion. Frank's work always makes me think of Garry Winogrand, another street photographer who was all about capturing the chaos and beauty of everyday life. And just like a painting, this piece is all about layers and interpretation. There's no one right way to read it. It's more about what you bring to it, what you see in those little frames of life.