J.L.A. V c. mid to late 1950s

This is ‘J.L.A. V,’ a photo contact sheet by Robert Frank. I’m thinking about the decision-making—what to keep, what to throw away, what to present. Frank reminds us that editing is part of the process of making, where the accidental and the incidental are embraced. I’m trying to imagine what Frank might have been thinking, looking at this sheet, trying to choose his best shot. Did he feel anxious? Did he labor over each image? Or did he decide on instinct? I love how the sprocket holes on the side are so present, it really emphasizes the temporality of the work. He must have really liked this roll. I'm sure Frank was in conversation with the photography of his time, but I bet he was looking back at the masters of painting too—all artists are, consciously or unconsciously. It’s that ongoing exchange of ideas. He was experimenting, embracing ambiguity. These are his marks, they’re perfect.