Gore Vidal for "Mademoiselle" 2 1961

This is "Gore Vidal for Mademoiselle 2" by Robert Frank, and it's a series of black and white photographic strips. It's like looking at outtakes from a photoshoot, each frame a slightly different angle on the same subject, the writer Gore Vidal. The grainy texture and high contrast give it a raw, documentary feel. You can see the physical marks of the film, the sprocket holes and the edge of the negative. The composition feels very intuitive; it's not trying to hide the process. The framing is tight, focusing on Vidal's face and the upper part of his body. Look at the way his expression changes from frame to frame – a slight smile, a raised eyebrow. It's like a little performance captured in these still images. The serial nature of the strips reminds me of Warhol's screen prints; both artists are interested in repetition and variation. It's an intimate glimpse behind the scenes, revealing the human element of image-making. There's no perfect image, only a series of moments.