Street scene--Butte, Montana 1956

Robert Frank shot this photograph, "Street scene--Butte, Montana," using gelatin silver. You can almost feel the weight of the air in this image, can’t you? It's a record of a very specific moment, a street scene populated by three people whose lives we can only guess at. There's a quietness to the photograph, a stillness that belies the bustling nature of street life. The stark black and white tones create a sense of timelessness, and I think it brings a certain focus to the subjects. Look at the way the light falls across the figures. It casts shadows that add depth and texture to the composition. Frank's work makes me think of Walker Evans in the way it captures everyday moments. But there’s also a certain unease, a feeling of something not quite right, that reminds me of Diane Arbus. It makes me think about how photography, at its best, can hold multiple truths at once.