Essays on the passing of Robert Frank

By Jelani Cobb in the New Yorker. On the same page, links to others' tributes to Frank. Also a video excerpt from Bruce Gilden's Everybody Street.

What I love about reviewing his iconic images.... is none of them are perfect. Some have lens distortion. Some aren't framed "perfectly". Some aren't level. Take the photo of the New Orleans Trolley. There are lots of technical issues with that photo..... but the story overcomes those imperfections. I think his work stands as a witness of some of what is wrong with photography today..... where story comes second to technical perfection. He is a powerful reminder that the story is paramount rather than "sharpness".

Anyway, seeing his work again has been a great reminder to me to not forget what is really important. While I love Sony eye-focus... its a great tool.... that's all it is and I don't care if the eye is in perfect focus if the image doesn't convey something.

Croasdail wrote in post #18926651
What I love about reviewing his iconic images.... is none of them are perfect. . . . but the story overcomes those imperfections.

That's a good point to think about. Thanks for your comment.

I'm not sure I know what a perfect photograph is. The perfect photograph has yet to be taken though I would say Frank came real close and his book The Americans is one of the most important photography books of the last century. If his work is not perfect then I think we should all want to be less than perfect because he is one of the greatest to ever live.

Some insight into The Americans for those that may not know about it
https://www.youtube.co​m/watch?v=mHtRZBDOgag