New York City S2 1958

Robert Frank's photographic work, "New York City S2", captures the city in a way that feels both intimate and detached. It's like looking at a series of sketches in black and white, each frame a quick impression. The contact sheet itself is the piece, a jumble of moments, and that appeals to me. There is the sense of a painter's studio, a working process where the photograph is not just an end result, but a document of time, place, and movement. The grain and contrast are raw, almost like charcoal on paper. Look at the strip showing the man at the counter. Each frame captures a slightly different angle, a stuttering movement that hints at a larger narrative. The texture of the film, the stark light and shadow, gives the image a gritty feel. There's a kind of urgency in Frank’s work that reminds me of early expressionist woodcuts, like those of Kirchner, where the rough surface conveys a sense of unease and immediacy. It's a conversation between seeing and feeling, a snapshot of urban life that invites us to pause and reflect.