Congressional A c. 1954 - 1955

Robert Frank created this photographic contact sheet, known as Congressional A, sometime in the mid-twentieth century. Just look at the raw, unedited quality of the image. It's all about process, showing us the artist's selection right there on the surface. The texture is determined by the film itself, its grain and imperfections laid bare, and the light and shadow feel immediate. The red marker lines around a single frame jump out. It is so direct, so visceral. It's not just about what's in the photo but about the artist’s hand, the critical eye making choices. For me, this piece embodies the spirit of the New York School of photography. It reminds me of the work of Helen Levitt, with its immediacy, its willingness to embrace the accidental, and to see value in everyday experience. It’s a reminder that art is not just about the final product, but about the messy, human process of getting there.