Subway no number 1955

Robert Frank made this contact sheet, Subway no number, using gelatin silver print. Looking at this piece you see the process of image making. There is an intimacy to the composition, not just of the people included but in the composition of the entire sheet. The many different shots on a single strip creates a feeling of many different perspectives. The high contrast black and white tonality adds to the somber mood. The red markings, seemingly made with a waxy pencil or crayon, are visible throughout the piece. They look spontaneous and organic, and are a reminder of the human hand in the making of the artwork. They help me understand Frank's vision, and to see the composition through his eyes. Frank's images feel related to some of Garry Winogrand's photographs, especially in his attention to public space. The beauty of art resides in its ability to evoke a range of emotions and encourage multiple interpretations.