Embarkation 5 1957

Robert Frank, a Swiss-American photographer known for his raw and influential style, created "Embarkation 5." This photographic contact sheet provides an intimate look into Frank's process, and by extension, the world he sought to capture. Frank, who once said that "Black and white are the colors of photography. To me they symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair," captured images that were often unflinchingly honest, revealing the complexities of American society. As a Jewish immigrant who came to America in 1947, Frank's lens was especially tuned to those on the margins. He was able to capture intimate moments, like those represented on this contact sheet, which was a departure from the often idealized images of the time. This is a window into not just a place and time, but a way of seeing.