Early New York City no number c. early 1950s

This is Robert Frank's "Early New York City no number," a photographic contact sheet, a kind of behind-the-scenes look at how he worked. The light and shadow are so stark, they almost turn the city into an abstract stage. Each frame is like a little experiment, a slightly different take on the same scene, some over-exposed, some under. Notice the sequence where Frank photographs white buildings against the skyline, playing with geometric form. Then there are the street scenes, catching people unawares, in transit, and fleeting moments of everyday life. Frank’s work reminds me a bit of Walker Evans, who he admired, but Frank has a much rougher, more intuitive feel. It's this kind of raw, unfiltered look that gives Frank's work its power, reminding us that art isn’t just about the perfect shot, but about seeing the world in new, unexpected ways.