Peru, page 29 1948

"Peru, page 29" is a photograph, by Robert Frank, from an unknown date. Frank’s work often feels like a study in contrasts, the way he captures light and shadow, and the starkness of the monochrome really emphasizes this. There is a beautiful depth of field here, the three women at the front are in focus, and then the background is soft. It creates a sense of intimacy, like we’re right there with them, but also a distance, like we’re observing from afar. I love the texture of the image, the grainy quality of the film, the way the light catches on the women’s clothes, you can almost feel the cool mountain air. It makes me think of Dorothea Lange, and the way she captured the resilience and dignity of people during the Great Depression, there's a similar sense of humanity in both of their works. Art is just an ongoing conversation, isn't it?