Week 4 - Photographers

Robert Frank

Robert Frank is an important figure in American photography and film. Frank was trained by a few photographers ans graphic designers before he created his own book of photographs. In 1947 he imigrated to America from Switzerland and secured a job in New York and a fashion photographer for Harpers Bazaar. Frank ititially had an optimistic view about the US society and culture, but quickly changed his mind when confronted with the fast paced American life and strong consumerism. His idea of American being a bleak and lonely place can be seen in his work. Frank often points out the negative issues and problems with the American culture he is photographing.

Frank’s Trolley photograph shows the segregation of black people in American communities back in the 50s. This is one of the most well known works. This photograph highlights the issue of racial inequality and discrimination of the post war period.

Trolley photograph by Robert Frank, 1955

Denotation

A number of people riding a trolley.

Connotation

Highlighting racial inequality. Flaws in the idea of the ‘American dream’.  The photo has been taken from a few steps back, suggesting that we are not a part of this community.

Emmet till was an African American boy who was tourtured and killed by a white man for flirting with the mans wife. The photograph of Till’s brutally tourtured face delivered a powerful message to viewers of the seriousness of racial equality. This photograph delivers a message in a way that words cannot. 

Emmet Till

Shocking photo of Till at his funeral

 Weegee

Arthur Fellig or Weegee was a self taught photographer and photojournalist known for his black and white street photography. Weegee developed his signature style in the 1930s and 40s by following emergency services and documenting what they saw. Many of his photographs had subjects of urban life, crime, injury and death. He would listen to police radios and often beat the authorities to the scene of an incident. Weegee was able to capture true and powerful emotions and feelings of the people and places he photographed.

"Their First Murder" by Weegee, 1936. Shows the true
emotions and reactions of onlookers

All the social, cultural and historical meanings that are added to a signs' literal meaning. Relies on the cultural and historical context of the image and it's viewers; lived and felt knowledge of those circumstances. Connotation thus brings to an object or image in the wider realm of ideology cultural meaning and value systems of a society.