Robert Franks: Did he hate America?
Robert Franks was a Swiss born photographer who traveled around America to take pictures of America and it's people. This shoot which was later made into a book, lasted three years during the 1950s. Many Americans, Including critics disapproved to his photography due to many reasons. Many people aid that "The Americans"-(The photography book) was the wrong picture of America, and that it had been captured negatively, as well as many thinking the photographer was "Anti-American"
What was going on at the time?
During this time, there was a period racial segregation throughout America. This may have been a factor to Franks most popular photographs, and what may have influenced him. The photographer often captured the opposite of what you would expect to see in a photo, which may have been one of the main reasons to why people were so outraged with his work. He also was a photographer who was an outsider looking in on something, which is also portrayed in his photos. As well as this, Frank identifies aspects within America that are true, but hidden and blind to most.
How "The Americans" is viewed now?
Robert Franks photography is seen as one of the best American photographers now. Americans have grown to understand his work, and see how America has changed throughout time. His work is recognized as some of the greatest photography work, and has influenced and shown street photography. "The Americans" addresses different aspect of American culture that could be viewed in different ways.
How is his photography is different?The photograph to the left shows a celebrity at a movie premier blurred out of the photo, and a clear view of the people behind the woman. Franks has captured the people with 'no name' - showing that he is capturing the less important things. The photographer often has his lens on those who stood and waited, rather than a typical photographer who captured celebrities. This photograph is a good example of why people thought Franks work was slightly bizarre at first, as he is showing an ordinary life rather than what everyone wants to see. This emphasizes the interest Frank had on outsiders.
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New MexicoThe photograph to the left shows the road to 'New Mexico' - "Land of sunshine". The clear lines shows that the photographer has took the photo on a sunny, clear day. This has made the photo exposed to deep and dark, to emphasize the lines and highlights on the long road. The lines also lead you eye down the road, as it shows direction.
Composition of his photographyDespite his photography not being composted, and that he doesn't make or compose his photographs, This photo has come out that the tuba is in the way of his face, this could suggest that the symbols of America, (The marching band) are drowning out the average American and their opinion. Although this seems like a pretty simple photograph, there is an underlying message that comes across powerful to Americans. Focus and BlurSome of his photos that feature in his Book, are blurred, out of focus and tilted. For example, the photo on the left. In the 1950s, the period that he took these photos, this would be against the standards of great photography in the 1950s. A typical good photo wouldn't be blurred or unfocused, as you wouldn't be able to see the photo in detail.
Chapter 3The photograph to the the left, shows the picture which introduces chapter 3 of Franks book, "The Americans". In the photo it shows the people in the bus looking out, going from white people in the front, to black people further at the back of the bus. This photograph emphasizes the amount of racial segregation what was going on throughout the 1950s. On Franks contact sheet including this photo, shows he only took one photo of this. This also shows that Frank didn't plan his photos. This photo conveys what was happening in the 1950s in America. The child starring out coneys the clueless expression on which youth on racial opinions compared to adults.
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What do you notice as you experience each work?Throughout Franks photography, you an see how natural the photography is, as well as honest. Most of his photos are quite serious and dark. This expresses a mysterious mood throughout his work.
What do you think about his work, and why?I think that Franks work is different to any other photographer, as he takes his photos naturally, documenting his journey. I also like how he has included some of the content of what was going on at the time in USA. This would have made his work more opinionated. However now, people can see how Franks work inspired street photographers.
In what ways do you think each work reflects the era in which it was made?Frank's work conveys to the audience that was happening during the 1950s well. During the 1950s there was racial segregation which was going on, which is shown in his photography.
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What can you tell about how it was made?By looking at Franks photography, you can tell he took his photos using a normal camera. He also was clearly a documentary photographer. You can tell his as his photographs show his journey in which he is taking. You can also tell that the photograph wasn't composed, they are all natural photos taken in the moment, which is what makes them so good.
How would you describe the style of his work?Franks work has many underlying stories / meanings to his photographs. This makes his work more meaningful despite his photographs being fairly simplistic. His work makes you want to know more about why he has taken the photo, which is why it is so good.
How Franks work has inspired me?Franks work has inspired me a lot to recreate my version similar to his work, but as well focusing on street documentary. I am going to take 20+ photos in the version of his work, therefore i am not going to plan so much what i want to photograph.
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What moods or feelings are expressed in his work, and how?The feelings expressed in Franks photography are very opinionated. Throughout his work he also involves some of the history in America that was happening during the 1950s. This coveys certain feelings towards the photos, as it gives the person who is looking extra information to the photo; despite if they don't know the behind meaning. Frank comes across as a unique photographer, as people were often puzzled to what inspires him. He started to focus on ordinary people and taking the photo blurry and unfocused.
How is the artists style or point of view expressed in this work?Frank's work can be viewed as "Anti-American" to many people, especially during the time his work was published. This was because his photos conveys a view which was against America. However, people may not have been pleased that the honest view of what was happening in America has been exposed. Franks view of America may have been that he loved America, hence why he was photographing the country. Or, that he disliked the country, as his photos sometimes conveyed negative views on the country.
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