Robert Frank
Robert Frank, a Swiss-American photographer and documentary filmmaker, is one of the most influential figures in the world of street photography. Best known for his groundbreaking book "The Americans," Frank's work has left a lasting impression on the genre, redefining the way photographers capture candid moments and everyday life. His unique perspective and innovative style have had a profound impact on generations of photographers.
Early Life and Career
Robert Frank was born in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1924. Growing up in a family of German-Jewish descent, he developed an interest in photography at an early age. Frank began his career as a commercial photographer, apprenticing with various studios in Switzerland before moving to the United States in 1947. In New York, Frank found work as a fashion photographer and photojournalist. He also studied under influential photographers such as Alexey Brodovitch and Walker Evans. During this time, Frank began to develop his unique style, characterized by a raw, spontaneous approach to capturing images.
In 1955, Frank was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, allowing him to embark on a two-year journey across the United States. During this time, he took over 28,000 photographs, capturing the essence of American culture and society. The result was his seminal work, "The Americans," a book of 83 black-and-white photographs that challenged the traditional norms of documentary photography and offered a raw, unfiltered view of American life.
Photographic Style and Techniques
Robert Frank's photographic style is characterized by his unconventional approach to composition, focus, and exposure. Eschewing the rigid standards of traditional documentary photography, Frank embraced spontaneity and imperfection in his images. He often used a 35mm Leica camera, allowing him to quickly capture fleeting moments on the streets.
Frank's photographs are marked by their emotional intensity and the sense of intimacy he creates with his subjects. He had a remarkable ability to convey the mood and atmosphere of a scene through his images, often employing unusual angles and viewpoints to challenge the viewer's perspective.
Career Highlights
The publication of "The Americans" in 1959 marked a turning point in Frank's career and the world of photography. The book received initial criticism for its gritty, unpolished portrayal of American society, but it soon gained recognition as a groundbreaking work that forever changed the course of street photography.
In the 1960s, Frank turned his attention to filmmaking, directing several notable documentaries, including "Pull My Daisy" (1959), "Me and My Brother" (1965), and "Cocksucker Blues" (1972), a controversial film documenting the Rolling Stones' 1972 American tour.
In 1996, Frank was awarded the prestigious Hasselblad Award for his contributions to the field of photography.
Photography Gear
Throughout his career, Robert Frank was known for his preference for lightweight and compact cameras, which allowed him to move quickly and unobtrusively while capturing images on the street. Some of the cameras he used include:
Leica M3: This 35mm rangefinder camera was one of Frank's favorites due to its quick and quiet operation, enabling him to capture candid moments without drawing attention to himself.
Nikon S2: Another rangefinder camera, the Nikon S2 was known for its reliability and exceptional image quality, making it a popular choice among street photographers of the era.
Photography Books
"The Americans": First published in France in 1958 and then in the United States in 1959, Robert Frank's The Americans transformed the course of 20th-century photography. Comprising 83 photographs, Frank delved beneath the surface of American life, capturing images of a society struggling with racism, political issues, and a burgeoning culture of consumerism. The Americans also revolutionized photography with its thematic, conceptual, and linguistic linkage of images, making it a valuable resource for photographers seeking to understand the power of storytelling through photographs.
"Robert Frank: In America": Focusing on Robert Frank's lesser-known American work from the 1950s, this book offers a comprehensive look at Frank's groundbreaking photographic journey. The 131 carefully sequenced plates incorporate both well-known images from The Americans and over 100 unknown or unfamiliar photos, allowing readers to explore the themes and strategies behind Frank's work. Peter Galassi's text offers a detailed analysis of Frank's early photographic career, examining how he employed a versatile 35mm vocabulary to redefine the artistic potential of the medium.
"Robert Frank: Good days quiet": In this introspective book, Robert Frank documents his rustic home in Mabou, Nova Scotia, where he spent summers with his wife June Leaf. The intimate photographs feature portraits of friends and family, as well as images of the home's simple interior and surrounding landscapes. Frank's use of Polaroid prints, displaying deliberate deterioration and manipulation, adds a unique layer to his work. This book offers photographers a glimpse into the artistic possibilities of blending photographic techniques, capturing the essence of personal memories, and creating a cohesive visual narrative.
"Robert Frank: Hold Still, Keep Going": This publication explores the connection between Robert Frank's photography and film work, filling a critical gap in the understanding of his artistic contributions. Hold Still, Keep Going examines the influence of film on Frank's photography and the interplay between still and moving images that has captivated the artist since the late 1950s. The nonchronological approach features photographs, film stills, 35mm filmstrips, and photomontages, offering readers a cohesive view of Frank's multifaceted artistic journey. With a new essay by Tobia Bezzola, this book is an essential addition to any photography or film collection, providing invaluable insights into the creative possibilities that lie at the intersection of these two disciplines.
Quotes
“The eye should learn to listen before it looks.”
“There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment.”
“Black and white are the colors of photography. To me, they symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair to which mankind is forever subjected.”
“When people look at my pictures, I want them to feel the way they do when they want to read a line of a poem twice.”
“Photography is truth. The cinema is truth twenty-four times per second.”
Legacy and Influence
Robert Frank's impact on the world of street photography is undeniable. His innovative and unorthodox approach to street photography has inspired generations of photographers, including Garry Winogrand, Diane Arbus, and Joel Meyerowitz. These photographers, like Frank, are known for their ability to capture the essence of human emotion and experience in their work, challenging the norms of documentary photography.
Other photographers who you might want to check out include Henri Cartier-Bresson, Helen Levitt, and Vivian Maier, each of whom has left a distinct mark on the history of street photography. Frank's lasting influence on the genre is a testament to his unique vision and the power of his images to evoke emotion, provoke thought, and inspire fellow photographers to push the boundaries of their art.
Today I would like to talk about amazing photographer Robert Frank, who passed away last week at the age of 94. He was a photographer and filmmaker who influenced generations of photographers.