Trolley—New Orleans 1955

This is Robert Frank's photograph, Trolley—New Orleans, and like much of his work, it just hits you right in the gut. It’s a gelatin silver print, so think about the darkroom process, the light-sensitive paper, and Frank, the artist, deciding when the image is ‘done’. Frank's blacks are intense, almost velvety, and the way he captures the light feels raw and immediate. The trolley car acts like a stage, dividing the riders into these little boxes, creating a sense of segregation and isolation. The faces, oh man, they tell a story. There’s weariness, curiosity, resignation. Look at the man in the center, his arm casually hanging out the window, gaze direct, it’s like he’s daring you to look closer. To me, this photo is less about capturing a single moment and more about revealing the complex layers of American society. It’s a messy, uncomfortable truth, and Frank doesn't shy away from it. It's like the work of Dorothea Lange but more gritty.