Robert Frank

“You do your work as a photographer and everything becomes past. Words are more like thoughts; the photographer's picture is always surrounded by a kind of romantic glamor - no matter what you do, and how you twist it.”

-Robert Frank

Presentation by: Quintin Grolla

Who is Robert Frank?• Born in Switzerland on November 9, 1924

• He turned to photography for as a way to escape the pressures of his business-oriented family

• Living in Europe during the Second World War-while although safe in Switzerland, it had impacted Frank and affected his understanding of oppression which is later seen in his work.

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His Immigration

• Frank immigrated to the United States in 1947, and secured a job in New York City as a fashion photographer for Harper's Bazaar.

• He soon left to travel in South America and Europe.

• He published two more books of photos he took in Peru, and returned to the U.S. in 1950.

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What his Views of America was

• Though he was initially optimistic about the United States, Frank's perspective quickly changed as he confronted the fast pace of American life and what he saw as an overemphasis on money.

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In Plain Sight

• He then saw America as an often bleak and lonely place, a perspective that became evident in his later photography.

Robert Frank Portraits

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The Turning Point in his Career

• In 1958, Robert Frank’s turning point had been made through his album called “The Americans”

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“The Americans”• In 1958, Robert Frank published the famous “The Americans”

• This publication is known to be the turning point of photography

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“The Americans” Cont.• However, It was initially published in Paris, and the book faced

significant criticism upon it's U.S. publication.

• (Above) This Photo is a very interesting photo because it shows the back of a bus and

how everyone was separated• (Right) I feel this photo is interesting because people

had entrusted others to take care of their children and had

been paid very little

“Black and white are the colors of photography. To me they symbolize the alternatives of hope and despair to which mankind is forever subjected.”-Robert Frank

Who Inspired this Great Artist?

• Robert Frank had been inspired by one of the most influential photographer of the twentieth century.

• The photographer was Walker Evans.

Some of Walker Evans Work

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The Influence he had

• The photographer Robert Frank was a friend, collaborator, and influence on John Cohen.

• His book “The Americans” had a great influence on many people in the last half of the twentieth century

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How he Changed the Art Form

• Through his book, “The Americans” he changed the way America looked at itself and how photography is composed today.

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(left) This photo is emotionally moving because of the way the

image is composed. there are three figures which shows the rule of odds and the way the

mood of the girl is

(right) This photo really expresses the work conditions people were living through.

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• “I have been frequently accused of deliberately twisting subject

matter to my point of view. Above all, I know that life for a photographer cannot be a matter of indifference. Opinion often consists of a kind of criticism. But criticism can come out of love.” -Robert Frank

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(left) This photo is interesting because there are the two kids hanging upside down, with an interesting background with the rhinos

(right) This photo is well composed because of the vehicle’s door is framing the loader, and there is

also a rule of thirds where the loader is

located

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Works Cited

• Sante, L. Seeing beauty in our shadows Robert Frank's 'The Americans,' unpopular when first published, has shaped the way America looks at itself. Wall Street Journal. 2013. Online. March 18, 2013

• NPR. 'Americans': The Book That Changed Photography. NPR, February 13, 2009. Online. March 18th, 2013.

• Book rags Media Network. Robert Frank Quotes. Brainy Quote. 2013. Online. March 15th, 2013

• "Robert Frank." The Biography Channel website. 1996. Online. March 19 2013.

Works Cited cont.

• NY Times Co. Boston.com. Boston.com. 2013. online. March 18th, 2013.

• Robert Frank-Fine Art. AtgetPhotography.com. Robert Frank-Fine Art. Online. March

18th, 2013.• The Slevedge Yard.

theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com. wordpress.com. August 6, 2009. Online. March

18th, 2013.

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Work Cited cont.• Vanart Gallery. Projects.vanartgallery.bc.ca. Vanart Gallery. January

12, 2006. Online. March 19, 2013/