London 12 1952 - 1953

Robert Frank made "London 12," a black and white photograph, printed on paper, sometime during his career. It's a contact sheet, raw and direct, not hiding anything. I love how Frank lets us see his process. The red marker slashes, the outtakes and variations, give a glimpse into his thinking. It's like he's saying, "Here's what I saw, here's what caught my eye, and here's how I wrestled with it." Look at the sequence in the middle row: the way the shadows lengthen across the pavement, becoming almost abstract shapes, isolating the figures in light. It's a study in contrasts, light and dark, presence and absence. Frank reminds me a bit of Garry Winogrand, both of them capturing the grit and poetry of everyday life. But where Winogrand felt expansive, Frank feels more introspective, more focused on the emotional weight of the moment. This piece is a reminder that art isn't just about the perfect image, it's about the journey, the searching, and the willingness to show your hand.