New York City 4 c. 1961

Robert Frank shot this photographic work, New York City 4, which captures slices of urban life, probably using his trusty 35mm camera. The image is segmented into a grid of frames; it is a series of glimpses into windows, with people working, living, just being. The light and shadow play across these scenes, creating an almost cinematic quality. I imagine Frank wandering through the city, his camera a constant companion, waiting for these moments to unfold. It’s a bit like when I walk around with my sketchbook, always searching for the accidental composition. There’s a raw, immediate feel here, like Frank wasn't staging anything, just responding to what he saw. It reminds me of the way painters like Fairfield Porter captured everyday scenes with such quiet intensity. Frank wasn't just documenting; he was feeling the city, translating its pulse onto film. And isn't that what we all try to do? Capture a feeling, a moment, and make it stay?