London 34/Lines of My Hand 38 and 48 1951

Robert Frank’s “London 34/Lines of My Hand 38 and 48” is a gelatin silver print, documenting a moment in London, and also Frank's own process. Frank’s work pushes the boundaries of traditional photography, as he captures everyday life with a raw, unfiltered lens. The images are grainy and imperfect, and this aesthetic was deliberate, moving away from the polished images of commercial photography. This emphasis on process allowed him to capture intimate moments, creating a powerful commentary on the human condition, and the working person. The work also points to the amount of labor involved in the production process. Frank’s photography challenges the hierarchy between art and craft, and it is through the materiality and process of photography, that he was able to capture a new perspective on modern society.