Robert Frank - The Americans: Photo Icons Explained

Robert Frank’s ‘The Americans' is celebrated as one of the most influential photo books of all time. First published in 1958, the book caused a huge outcry amongst American critics who discredited the book as anti-American.
For purchasing the book: amzn.to/3xnka0K
1950s post-war America gave birth to a new wave of middle-class people aspiring to live the American Dream. But it was also riddled with complex issues of race and class. A theme that is repeatedly reflected in this body of work. This was an image the American people struggled to match with their views about themselves. It took a whole decade and a new generation to lift the veil on this street photography masterpiece.
More inspiration related to the project
100 years of Leica Photography: amzn.to/4eopQIx
If you are interested in more photography history and want to learn about famous photo icons from the best photographers of all time, please subscribe to the channel!
**Correction 04:05 book title London/Wales
The copyright of all images and videos used in this video belongs to their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended. The content is used under the exemption of Fair Dealings for the purpose of criticism, review and education.
Copyright Credits:
All of Robert Frank's work - The Robert Frank Collection
Henri Cartier Bresson - Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson / Magnum Photos
Robert Capa - Magnum Photos
Life Magazine
Alfred Stieglitz - The Alfred Stieglitz Collection
Gertrude Käsebier - The Library of Congress
Videos:
Kodak commercials - Kodak
Elvis: • Elvis Presley Fan Reac...
Stalin: • Stalin, Сhurchill, Tru...
1950s: • Were The 1950s An Easi...
• 1957 America. Some Cal...
• Alabama City Remembere...
Kinolibrary Archive Film Collections
Ed Sullivan Show - SOFA Entertainment
• The Civil Rights Movement
This content contains affiliate links, which will help me keeping this channel alive. It won't cost you anything more going through the Amazon links provided on this channel. \
Thank you for the support and much love.

[@jointspecialist]

I think your channel has a bright future. Almost nobody on KZbin makes these types of photography videos. Im enjoying the content!

[@photoiconsexplained]

Thank you so much, Leo! It’s really nice to hear! I will definitely continue to put more videos out like this, because you are right, I also found there to be a lack of photography history type of content like this. Thanks for your words!

[@Walt.2013]

These historical outlines are very well done! I've heard these photographers' names frequently over the years, but your videos provide a meaningful context within which to better understand their influence and importance! I look forward to more of them! Thank you!

[@theblackmanarmedwithacamera]

Great video! People need to see n hear the stories of photographers from the past!!! - THE BLACKMAN ARMED WITH A CAMERA

[@photoiconsexplained]

Thanks! Really glad you enjoyed it. And yes, it's so true, we oftentimes forget what there is to learn from the old masters! I'm on a mission to remind people ;)

[@terryjones6049]

These look back at times when photography was very different as so interesting, I really hope you make more. Thanks for sharing.

[@BackFocus11]

Can't wait to see more of your videos!

[@photoiconsexplained]

Ah thanks! I appreciate it. I'm already working on the next one. It should drop next week.

[@silvestersze9968]

Thank you for this informative video. I’d say it’s the best channel for me to watch and learn more about Street Photography ever. Well putting together and concise contents narrative. This’s a gift. I just ‘liked’ and subscribed. 🎉

[@tompwilliams1]

Very well done and insightful. Subscribed!

[@photoiconsexplained]

Thanks so much! Glad you've found it interesting! :)

[@jonathanhumphries2643]

Great video and storytelling!

[@photoiconsexplained]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Melanholix]

Amazing explanations, thank you!

[@bmwohl]

Great video. How little did I understand this book, which sits a few feet from me now, before your video. Thank you.

[@photoiconsexplained]

Glad it was helpful, Barry! Enjoy returning to the book with fresh eyes :)

[@anagarci889]

I discovered this channel by chance and I was pleasantly surprised. Excellent work. Of course, I subscribe. Thank you very much for sharing and keep growing.

[@photoiconsexplained]

Thanks so much! Really appreciate support!

[@rajsingharora26]

Great Insight into the Book & the Photographer.,

[@pasa8996]

I really enjoyed this and learnt a lot. Many thanks.

[@photoiconsexplained]

Really glad it was helpful! :)

[@stevemphoto]

Please keep making these!

[@photoiconsexplained]

:) I certainly will! Thanks for watching

[@markledingham4942]

I have this book myself. It’s wonderful, and it definitely influences the way I look at photography and those whom I make pictures of. Love your channel. Please keep up the good work! Subscribed.

[@photoiconsexplained]

That's wonderful! Yes, such a beautiful and inspiring book. Thanks for the support and thanks for subscribing!

[@daniellinehan63]

The book is fantastic

[@otavioleitefotografia]

Great!

[@photoiconsexplained]

Thank you!

[@CraigSmithviking]

Superb.

[@photoiconsexplained]

Thanks a lot

[@fabricelarocheatelier]

C’est super bravo !

[@photoiconsexplained]

Merci beaucoup! :)

[@BrunoChalifour]

Excellent. I just wish some cropped images were not and I would be spared the so-called Ken Burns effect (zooming in). Both mutilate Frank’s framed photographs and their esthetic and documentary content. Note: the editing was done in one day in Paris at Robert Delpire’ home by both Frank and Delpire, the publisher of the 1958 original version. The 1959 American version (published by Grove Press) was modified by Frank. He did not modify the order and number of photographs on the right pages of the book but eliminated the historical texts chosen by Delpire for the left pages, replacing them by white pages and adding an introduction by Jack Kerouac to the book.

[@photoiconsexplained]

Dear Bruno, some portrait mode images are zoomed in to enjoy more details of the image, than a full-screen scale of the image could offer on a landscape computer screen. The video is not there to look at the images, instead of looking at the book, where all images can be seen in their entirety. The video is meant to inspire and learn. As supporting material, not instead. Thanks for your comment.

[@BrunoChalifour]

@@photoiconsexplained Thank you for your response. I think I would disagree with the idea that the resolution of a zoomed-in image really brings out the details of an image, technically it is the opposite that happens, there is a loss of resolution/quality. Moreover it only enlarges the central details of the image, ignoring the rest, as if at this level of mastery the photographer only used the center of his frame and was unaware of the frame itself, corners and edges included. Now I understand that for a lay-person, one not exactly into photography and not used to look at photographs, the Ken Burns effect adds some visual dynamism but it is at the expense of the photograph and the photographer's skills and esthetics. As for the cropping, it just shows an image that was not the photographer's choice, so it is a complete betrayal of the photographer's vision and intentions. Now as far as "looking at the book," it sounds like a somewhat lame excuse as, except for a verbal mention, nothing is really done to present its sequence which is, I think you would agree, the most interesting part of the book. The way the issues of race, generations-especially youth, death, road, car (the latter three being linked) are intertwined, flagged by... flags, is what the book is really about (as most photo-books should be), not single images, singled out and either cropped or zoomed in. Under the appearance of being "shot from the hip", Frank's images are composed, some extremely carefully. Retouching them in anyway is a license that is detrimental to the work of a photographer whose work should be respected.

[@hakobmargaryan852]

Were you sad when you voiced this video?)

[@AI-Hallucination]

Ok bigman what does the jukebox convey I will subscribe if you tell me

[@photoiconsexplained]

As explained in the video, the jukebox is a strong symbol of American pop culture which is typically associated with entertainment and fun. In Robert Frank's images it is captured in a rather gloomy light. But you are free to come to your own conclusion and interpretation. That's the beauty of art.

[@AI-Hallucination]

It's howl the poem by Alan Ginsburg the atomic jukebox read the poem you will understand him more and he never wore socks 😂 you do now about the lost photo of the Americans when he was in jail in Arkansas

[@AI-Hallucination]

“I am not a verbal man I am a visual man I have nothing to reveal it's all the work I hope” Robert Louis frank keep looking for him look at him not his photos they are just little bit of him

[@AI-Hallucination]

You see a little bit of frank in all modern photos 😂 give you a B

[@AI-Hallucination]

And read his artist statement he put out after the the book was made

[@PeterJehle100]

Your caption England/Wales is wrong. Wales is not in England it is in the UK and your inaccuracy is quite offensive to the Welsh nation.

[@photoiconsexplained]

Dear Peter, living in the UK myself, I am very much aware that Wales is not in England. I cited the book title of an old Robert Frank body of work. You were right though, that I made a mistake - the book is called London/Wales. No offence intended.

[@grbbbc]

Oh bless you, hope you found a safe space you poor little soul.