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Argumentative Writing On Famous Photographer Robert Frank

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Argumentative Writing On Famous Photographer Robert Frank

Research Question: What is the significance of Robert Frank's photography, and how does it

relate to the history of photography?

In the 20th century, Robert Frank was one of the most important photographers, his

contributions and engagement in the field of photography have had a significant effect on the

development of photography, and his novel use of the medium has influenced the course of the

art. Frank's style of photography is characterized by his preference for authentically capturing

reality instead of viewing the world through an idealized lens. His art is distinguished by a brutal

honesty that exposes his subject matter with a special and potent closeness. Robert Frank's

unique use of the medium and his unabashed honesty in capturing daily life has had a lasting

influence on the history of photography. His works serve as a testament to the ability of

photography to both depict the human condition and draw attention to the social and economic

disparities that characterize American society. Last but not least, via his unconventional methods

and open-minded attitude to photography, his work has impacted innumerable photographers and

contributed to shaping the direction of the medium.

Frank's photography is deeply rooted in the history of the medium. His work draws on

the influence of earlier photographers such as Jakob Tuggener, Bill Brandt, and Walker Evans.

In particular, Frank's book The Americans was heavily influenced by Evans' book American

Photographs, published in 1938 (Monro, 2019). Like Evans, Frank sought to document the

everyday lives of ordinary Americans. He traveled to various cities across the United States,

taking photographs of individuals from all walks of life (Day, 2011). His work was marked by an

experimental style that pushed the boundaries of photographic technique. He often used
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unorthodox methods such as low lighting, unusual focus, and cropping that deviated from the

accepted standards of the time.

Frank's experimental approach to photography is evident in his use of low lighting,

unusual focus, and cropping. In his photograph "White Tower Hamburgers," Frank uses low

lighting to create an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue. The image features six women laughing

in the window of a hamburger stand, and the night's darkness obscures the scene's details. The

lack of light forces the viewer to focus on the expressions of the women, emphasizing the joy

they share. The use of low lighting also creates an intimate atmosphere, as if the viewer is

peering into a secret moment shared between the women.

Frank also utilized unusual techniques in his images to bring the viewer's attention to the

subject matter. Frank has captured a New Orleans streetcar moving down one of the city's streets

in his shot titled "Trolley - New Orleans." The photograph was taken in New Orleans. The image

is hazy and out of focus, giving the observer the impression that there is a lot of motion and

energy in the scene. The hectic nature of the city is suggested by the hazy lines of the trolley car,

while the surrounding is rendered out of focus to draw attention to the most important subject

matter, which is the trolley itself.

Finally, Frank used cropping to draw attention to certain image elements. In his

photograph "Trolley – New York," Frank captures a group of people on a trolley car in New

York City. The image is tightly cropped, focusing the viewer's gaze on the expressions of the

individuals in the image. The cropped composition highlights the emotions of the individuals,

reflecting Frank's focus on the intimate moments of everyday life. Again, Frank often used

unusual angles to create a sense of tension and drama. He often shot from low angles or from the

side to create a feeling of unease and tension. In his photograph "Harlem," he shoots from a low
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angle, emphasizing the size of the buildings and creating a sense of foreboding. This technique

creates a feeling of unease and draws the viewer into the image.

In addition to these techniques, Frank's composition was an important element of his

photography. He often used asymmetrical composition to draw attention to certain image

elements and create a sense of tension or unease. His photograph of the White Tower Hamburger

Stand on Fourteenth Street in New York (National Gallery of Art nd) is a perfect example of this

technique. The photograph is composed in an asymmetrical pattern, with the figures in the

window standing off-center, creating a sense of disorientation and unease.

In addition to using unorthodox techniques, Frank's work was also characterized by

unflinching honesty. He sought to document reality as it was without idealizing or romanticizing

his subject matter. His work revealed the tensions between the optimism of the 1950s and the

realities of class and racial differences. This honest approach to photography was particularly

evident in The Americans, which captured the lives of ordinary Americans with a sense of

realism and intimacy.

The contributions that Frank has made to the field of photography have left an indelible

mark on its history. His use of unconventional methods pushed the frontiers of photographic

technique, and the unabashed honesty with which he created his images bestowed upon them a

force that was entirely his own. His body of work has served as a source of motivation for

innumerable photographers, and his influence can still be seen in photography today (Jenkins,

2019). As a result, the photography of Robert Frank is an extremely important contribution to the

development of the medium, and his body of work continues to be an essential component of the

photography canon.The work done by Frank provides an insightful and original viewpoint on the

development of photography. His images are not merely representations of the world around us;
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rather, they provide a doorway into the experience of being human. A dramatic and potent

approach in which he conveys the hardships and joys of ordinary life is provided by him. His

body of work, which sheds light on the intricacies and subtleties of life in the United States, has

been lauded as a "voyage of discovery." The images taken by Frank are not only spectacular

from an aesthetic standpoint, but they also reflect bigger social, cultural, and political themes.

His body of work has been particularly formative in the development of what is known as "New

Journalism," a kind of writing that uses narrative strategies to tell tales from a more first-person

point of view. His work has been notably influential in this regard.

Frank's work is important historically but also influential in modern photography.

Numerous photographers have endeavored to imitate his distinctive style as a result of his

experimental approach to art. His work has had a significant impact on photographers who

adhere to the idea of "socially engaged photography," which aims to address social concerns via

the medium of photography. The ability of photography to depict the human condition and draw

attention to the challenges and pleasures of life is demonstrated through Frank's pictures.

People have complimented Frank's work for its skill in subtly and profoundly capturing

the spirit of American life. His images depict how diverse people view the world and how they

reflect a complicated nation. Additionally, his images shed light on the social and economic

differences that characterize American culture (Ocakolu, 2020). His work made a significant

contribution to the growth of documentary and narrative photography and had a long-lasting

impression on the discipline. Frank has produced numerous additional critically recognized

works of work. His 1940s images of Peru are an essential study of the culture and people of the

nation. His 1950s images of Wales and England beautifully and distinctively depict the splendor
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of the British Isles. Frank's photography is renowned for its ability to poetically and poignantly

portray the spirit of daily life.

Robert Frank's photography has contributed to the medium's history since his avant-garde

approach to photography shaped the art form's trajectory, and his work has inspired countless

photographers. Again, the photographs are distinguished by an unflinching honesty that reveals

the complexities of daily life uniquely and powerfully. Therefore, His work provides a unique

perspective on photography's history and has had a lasting impact on contemporary art. Frank's

photographs demonstrate the power of photography to capture the human experience and draw

attention to the ups and downs of everyday life.

In summary, Robert Frank's photography has had a significant influence on the

development of the genre. His photography takes an inventive approach, and his work is

unflinchingly honest, revealing the complexity of daily life. His images exemplify how

photography can depict the human condition and draw attention to the social and economic

disparities that characterize contemporary American society. The historical value of Frank's

images is immeasurable, and his influence can still be seen in modern photography. His images

offer a glimpse into the human race's experience rather than just reproductions of reality.

Numerous photographers have been inspired by his work, and his impact on photography is

unmistakable. Future generations will continue to gain insight into the human condition through

Robert Frank's work, which will continue to be a vital component of the photography canon.
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White Tower Hamburger

Trolley - New Orleans

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Harlem
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References

Day, J. (2011). Robert Frank's' The Americans': The Art of Documentary Photography. Intellect

Books.

Keith Jenkins (2019), How Robert Frank's Vision Influenced And Inspired Generations Of

Photographers. NPR.

https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2019/09/12/759470766/how-robert-franks-

vision-influenced-and-inspired-generations-of-photographers

Monro, J. (2019). Coming into Focus. Amphora, (182).

National Gallery of Art (nd),14th Street White Tower, New York City, 1948.

https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.76851.html

Ocakoğlu, Salih. (2020). A Review of Americanism Codes in The Americans. International

Conference on Cultural Informatics, Communication & Media Studies.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339289227_A_Review_of_Americanism_Code

s_in_The_Americans