Robert Frank’s seminal book “The Americans” has been called the singular most important work in the history of photography.
“It may be impossible to convey to people who weren’t percipient in the early nineteen-sixties the profound, exulting shock that Robert Frank’s “The Americans” delivered to me, among many others, at the time of its release.”, wrote Peter Schjeldahl, the longtime art critic for The New Yorker.
Its influence continues to resonate with photographers today, inspiring generations of artists who followed in Frank’s footsteps. Renowned photographers such as Lee Friedlander, Garry Winogrand, Joel Meyerowitz, and Diane Arbus were among those who were deeply influenced by Frank’s work.
The American author and photography historian, Philip Gefter, titled his 2009 collection of essays “Photography After Frank” as if to suggest that the emergence of Frank as a prominent figure in the field signaled a significant paradigm shift in the entire medium.
“The Americans” also played a significant role beyond the realm of photography. It exerted a strong influence on the New Journalism movement in literature and photojournalism, as well as the emergence of counter-culture and anti-establishment art movements during the 1960s and 1970s.
At its core, “The Americans” is a compelling documentation of post-war American culture, offering a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the complexities, disparities, and everyday moments of beauty that defined American life during that era. The book provides a profound visual narrative that captivates viewers with its simplicity, emotional depth, and keen attention to detail.
From this groundbreaking and iconic work, there are several valuable lessons that can be gleaned.
Ten lessons I learned from this iconic work:
1. Sometimes simplicity really is the best way to tell a story
By highlighting the subtleties of everyday life, Frank’s images somehow evoke a sense of familiarity and nostalgia in the viewer. I say this even as an Australian who grew up outside of the United States, (yet always somehow immersed in its cultural traffic—media products such as film, television, art, music, journalism, etc.).
Frank’s ability to find beauty in seemingly insignificant details reminds us that there is often more to the world than what meets the eye. Through his work, Frank demonstrates that simplicity can be a powerful storytelling tool, enabling viewers to find beauty and meaning in the ordinary aspects of life.
2. Negative space creates feelings of loneliness and isolation
Frank’s use of negative space in his photographs enhances the feeling of isolation and loneliness. Through the intentional placement of empty areas within his compositions, Frank creates a sense of quiet and contemplation.
The negative space can draw the viewer’s eye towards the subject, emphasizing their isolation within their surroundings. The viewer is left to ponder the significance of the empty space and the emotional impact it has on the subject.
This technique allows Frank to evoke a powerful emotional response from the viewer, creating a deeper connection between the image and the viewer’s own experiences with loneliness and isolation.
3. Unconventional framing creates tension
Frank’s unconventional use of framing and diagonal lines generates a sense of tension and dynamism in his photographs. He deliberately breaks traditional compositional rules, creating images that feel dynamic and alive. The use of diagonal lines can create a sense of movement and energy that draws the viewer’s eye through the composition and adds a sense of depth and complexity to the image.
Frank’s framing also challenges the viewer’s perspective and forces them to reconsider the subject matter in new and thought-provoking ways. It creates a heightened sense of tension that adds emotional intensity to the photograph, engaging the viewer in a more profound way.
4. Small details add layers of meaning
Frank’s attention to small details in his photographs adds layers of meaning and depth to the overall composition, creating a more complex and nuanced image. For instance, a photograph of a group of men playing pool may have a sign on the wall advertising a product or service, subtly commenting on consumer culture.
These seemingly insignificant details can offer a unique insight into the social and cultural context in which the photograph was taken. By including these details, Frank invites the viewer to think more critically about the image and the broader issues it may address, ultimately deepening our understanding and appreciation of the photograph.
5. Juxtaposition challenges viewers to think critically
Frank uses juxtaposition to challenge viewers to think critically about the social and economic inequality in America. Through his photographs, Frank captures the stark contrast between scenes of luxury and excess and scenes of poverty and destitution.
By juxtaposing these contrasting themes, Frank invites viewers to question the systems and structures that create these disparities. He encourages viewers to think critically about the ways in which wealth and poverty are distributed in society and to consider the impact of these disparities on individuals and communities.
6. Focus on emotion to reveal the vulnerabilities and humanity of subjects
Frank’s photographs capture the essence of his subjects in a way that reveals their innermost thoughts and emotions. By focusing on the emotional aspect of his subjects, Frank is able to reveal their vulnerabilities and humanity.
His portraits often present a raw and unguarded view of his subjects, showing their true selves without pretense or artifice. In particular, Frank’s photographs of children highlight their innocence and vulnerability, while also revealing the complexities of their inner lives.
Through his focus on emotion, Frank’s portraits allow us to see the humanity in his subjects, and to connect with them on a deeper level. They remind us that despite our differences, we all share the same basic emotions and experiences and that it is through this shared humanity that we can find empathy and understanding.
7. A nuanced sequence creates a powerful narrative
The sequencing of photographs is a deliberate and important aspect of “The Americans” overall impact. The careful arrangement of images creates a powerful narrative that reflects the mood and spirit of the time.
Frank’s sequencing takes the viewer on a journey through the American landscape, weaving together images of people, places, and objects that reflect the complexity of American life. The photographs build upon one another, with each image adding a layer of meaning to the overall composition of the story. As the viewer progresses through the book, a deeper and more nuanced picture of American culture and society emerges.
Frank’s sequencing also serves to keep the viewer engaged and questioning, as each page turn brings new insights and revelations. By crafting a powerful narrative through the arrangement of images, Frank invites the viewer to consider the larger social and cultural forces at play in American life and to engage with these themes in a more profound and meaningful way.
8. Challenge traditional notions of beauty
Frank challenges traditional notions of beauty by finding beauty in the ordinary and mundane. Rather than focusing on conventional subjects of beauty such as glamorous models or picturesque landscapes, Frank turns his lens towards the every day, capturing images of everyday people, streets, and objects. Through his photographs, he reveals the inherent beauty in the often-overlooked aspects of American life. By finding beauty in the mundane, Frank invites viewers to look beyond the superficiality of traditional notions of beauty and consider the complexity and nuance of the American experience.
Moreover, Frank’s images also serve as a critique of consumer culture and its obsession with superficial ideals of beauty. By highlighting the beauty in the ordinary, Frank exposes the emptiness of consumer culture’s focus on external beauty and material possessions. Through his photographs, he challenges us to consider alternative notions of beauty that are rooted in authenticity, simplicity, and the richness of everyday experience.
9. Use movement to invoke the impermanence of life
Frank captures people and places in a state of movement and flux, conveying a sense of transience and impermanence that is central to the human experience. Whether it’s a group of young men on a road trip or a woman caught in a moment of contemplation, Frank’s photographs capture fleeting moments that are both beautiful and poignant.
Through his use of movement and fluidity, Frank invites viewers to reflect on the passage of time and the impermanence of life. This sense of transience can create a feeling of nostalgia and wistfulness, as we are reminded of our own mortality and the fleeting nature of human experience. In this way, Frank’s photographs become a sort of meditation on the human condition, capturing the beauty and fragility of life in a way that is both powerful and deeply affecting.
10. Mirrors and reflections create disorientation and ambiguity
In “The Americans,” Robert Frank often incorporates reflections and mirrors in his photographs, creating a sense of disorientation and ambiguity that invites viewers to question their own perceptions of reality. By including reflections of his subjects or using mirrors as a framing device, Frank creates an intricate interplay between the real and the imagined, drawing attention to the complex nature of identity and perception.
The use of mirrors can be disorienting, creating an unsettling sense of uncertainty and challenging us to question our assumptions about what is real and what is an illusion. This sense of ambiguity can also evoke a sense of introspection, encouraging viewers to consider the ways in which they construct their own sense of self. Through his use of mirrors and reflections, Frank creates a space for self-reflection and contemplation, inviting us to consider the often-unseen aspects of our own identity and experience.
11. Humor and irony reveal absurdity and contradictions
Humor and irony are frequently employed as a means to reveal the absurdities and contradictions of American life. Through his photographs, Frank exposes the stark contrast between the idealized images of American culture and the lived reality of its citizens. Often, this is done through subtle and unexpected visual cues, such as a department store sign near flowers enticing consumers with a promise to remember their loved ones for the sum of 69 cents.
The juxtaposing sign and flowers with the surrounding department store environment create a humorous and ironic effect. The fact that the price for remembering loved ones is only 69 cents is also ironic. The low cost trivializes the act of remembrance and suggests that it is a commodity that can be bought and sold like any other product.
Such moments of humor and irony can be both unsettling and cathartic, as they force viewers to confront the hypocrisies and contradictions that exist within American society. By using humor and irony in his photographs, Frank also suggests that laughter can be a powerful tool for social critique and change.
By revealing the absurdities of American culture, Frank encourages viewers to question their assumptions and challenge the status quo, ultimately leading to a more critical and engaged citizenry.
12. Ambiguity leaves the meaning-making to the viewer
Robert Frank’s photographs in “The Americans” are renowned for their sense of narrative ambiguity, which encourages the viewer to actively engage with the image in order to create their own meaning. In many of Frank’s photographs, the scene is not immediately clear or the context is uncertain, which can lead to multiple interpretations of the image.
For example, a photograph of a man and woman might initially appear to be a simple portrait of a happy couple, but upon closer inspection, the viewer might notice subtle visual cues that suggest a more complex interpretation, such as the man’s body language or the expression on the woman’s face.
By leaving the meaning of the image open to interpretation, Frank invites the viewer to participate in the process of meaning-making, drawing on their own experiences and perspectives to create a personal connection to the photograph. This can lead to a more profound understanding of the image and a deeper appreciation for how art can challenge and expand our understanding of the world around us.
13. Flags, iconography, and other symbols are multimodal — dependent on individual and cultural experiences
Symbols, particularly those that are widely recognized, are inherently multimodal, drawing on various meanings that are dependent on individual and cultural experiences. Robert Frank’s photographs often incorporate elements of American iconography, such as the American flag, Coca-Cola signs, and Cadillac cars, which can evoke complex and contradictory emotions in viewers.
For Americans, the flag might symbolize patriotism and national pride, while for others it may represent imperialism or aggression. Similarly, a Coca-Cola sign might evoke memories of childhood or a sense of nostalgia, while also highlighting the pervasive influence of consumer culture.
Through his use of these symbols, Frank is able to comment on the larger social and cultural forces that shape American life, while also inviting viewers to consider their own relationship to these iconic images. By showcasing these symbols in his photographs, Frank suggests that they are an integral part of the American experience, shaping the way we see ourselves and the world around us.
