Ski lodge--Sports 1941 - 1945

This photograph was made by Robert Frank and it's called 'Ski Lodge--Sports'. It's a small, square world, almost like a peepshow, isn't it? Black and white, shades of grey. You can feel the grit and grain, the raw texture of the film itself; it’s like Frank wants you to know this is a real thing, not some slick fantasy. Look how he frames the crowd through an arch, these blurred figures rushing to get somewhere, but the three guys perched above, backs to us, like they’re not part of the hustle. I’m thinking about how Frank is playing with layers, the way the light catches on the arch, the blurred movement of the crowd versus the stillness of the figures above, all creating a sense of depth and mystery, a snapshot of fleeting moments in time. It reminds me of some of Garry Winogrand’s street photography, that same knack for capturing the chaos and beauty of everyday life in a single frame. It leaves you with a sense of wonder and curiosity. What’s going on here? Where are they all going? And why do those guys look so chill?