RIP Robert Frank

Ah, to live so long.

I do love his work. The Americans is one of my Go-To Bibles for reference on documentary photography.

Best,
-Tim
 
Sad news but a long inspiring life. The Americans is always close and prominent in my book case and I am always referring back to it for inspiration.
 
If you love the Americans, get the big fat expanded edition that was put out maybe a decade ago. More information than you will ever need.

Sad that another great photographer is gone. Peter Lindburgh died this week too.
 
https://images.app.goo.gl/1434gE4dzkF5JLg56

Car accident, between Winslow and Flagstaff

You can still photograph some of what RF saw in Arizona on Route 66...not much on its I-40 replacement, unless you like shooting passersby out the driver window at 70mph. In his road photos, he conveyed the dislocation, dread, and longing of people made into permanent strangers by the American freedom to travel vast distances and leave everything behind but the horizon.
 
I loved "The Americans". But he also did excellent other work. A true original mind and eye. Ninety-four is a long life and he lived his well. He will be missed.
 
The Americans captured an alternative take on life in the USA during the late 50’s. Frank was an immigrant and interpreted his environment as an outsider. As an outsider, both age and nationality wise, I appreciate his point of view. This said, I’ve never liked The Americans as a photo book, per se but appreciate it as his take on what he saw around him. When it comes to documenting the late 50's zeitgeist, however, I prefer Jack Kerouac’s On The Road…which offers more detail and definition.
 
A sad news. I recently bought "Come again" by Robert Frank which is a beautiful example of polaroid photos notes taken in Beirut, 1991 and simply stitched with tape on a note book. I read that when Gerhard Steidl saw it decided to print it exactly as it was without ant correction or improvement.

Thanks Robert for the inspiration.
 
Robert Frank's contribution to America and the world is truly significant. His influence has to be felt by even those who never saw his actual images, but given the power they conveyed beyond the paper they were printed on.

May he rest peacefully.
 
I thought he would live as long as David Douglas Duncan.

I really liked his " The Americans" book.

Rest in Peace Robert Frank.
 
I was really sad to read about this today. Found to his work later than to many other photographers but really appreciate his photography.


His work (especially The Americans) will stick with many people, that's a great thing to leave to us.
 
While reading the article Marty links to above, I followed a few clicks and came across a few other in depth article about Robert Frank, his work, his life and his art.

Long piece with an interview from 2008 in Vanity Fair

Another in depth piece looking at his life and work from the New York Times from 2015

And finally, a New York Times Magazine article from 1994

It's kind of interesting, the tone of most of the articles is "Here is an artist at the end of his days", even the one from 1994, and yet he just kept on going and going.

Best,
-Tim
 
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