Paris 35A 1949 - 1950

Robert Frank captured "Paris 35A" with his camera. Looking at these strips of black and white photographs, I imagine him walking the streets of Paris, seeing life unfold in a series of fleeting moments. I wonder what Frank was thinking, what he was searching for as he framed each shot. In the darkroom, each frame must have been carefully considered. Why these particular images? What story did he want to tell? The dark tones create a pensive atmosphere, full of shadows, suggesting a sense of mystery, or perhaps melancholy. The way Frank plays with light and shadow reminds me a little bit of some of the old masters. The way he layers images, one after another, creates a kind of visual rhythm, like musical notes strung together. Each image contributes to the overall composition of the piece. I am really moved by Frank’s photographs, because they offer such a personal and immediate experience of the world. Photography continues to influence painting, offering new ways of seeing and representing the world around us.