Cafeteria line--San Francisco 1956

Robert Frank made this gelatin silver print, "Cafeteria line--San Francisco," sometime in the mid-20th century. I love how Frank isn’t afraid of the dark, both literally and figuratively. His high contrast compositions aren’t always pretty, but they sure feel real. Look at the dark areas of the print: they're dense, almost velvety, and anchor the composition. Then, these highlights that practically glow. In the area to the left, the blur creates a sense of movement, pulling us into the scene. This reminds me of that feeling of getting lost in the crowd; the way we connect with the world and, simultaneously, the way we get swallowed up by it. Frank's work is deeply human, full of contradictions and raw emotions. It reminds me a bit of Diane Arbus, and like the paintings of Philip Guston, in the sense that it doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable aspects of life. Ultimately, Frank embraces the messy, imperfect reality of being alive.