Guggenheim 334--New Orleans, Louisiana 1955

Robert Frank made this contact sheet, Guggenheim 334--New Orleans, Louisiana, using a camera and film. It’s a series of frames, moments strung together, capturing a parade or celebration, with glimpses of marching bands and onlookers. I can imagine Frank, camera in hand, moving through the crowd, composing each shot, deciding when to press the shutter. He’s probably thinking about what to include and exclude, capturing the energy of the moment. I like the way that you can see his decisions. The light and shadow, the blur of movement, and the grain of the film all add to the sense of immediacy. This kind of work makes me think of the street photography of Garry Winogrand. Both had a knack for capturing the pulse of city life. And like a painter experimenting with different brushstrokes, Frank uses the camera to explore the world, offering a glimpse into his way of seeing.