Walker Evans

This photo was taken by American photographer Walker Evans, possibly Robert Franks most influential photographer. He was born in the U.S. in 1903. 
Evans photographed a similar subject matter to Frank; the 'lower class' people of America. He looked particularly at small rural communities worst effected by the great depression. His most recognisable work is from when he was working with the FSA (Farm Security Administration). The FSA was set up as part of the 'New Deal' in America as a response to overcome the great depression, particularly in rural areas. Evans said that he aimed to create "literate, authoritative and transcendent" photos. He began shooting for the FSA and RA (resettlement administration) in 1935/1936 up until 1938.


The reason I have chosen to study Walker Evans's work for 'Exploration and discovery' is due to it's journalistic/documented style. When looking at his photos you explore new places and discover different ways of life and living. This follows a similar theme to my coursework unit on 'experimental photography and perspective'; his photos introduce the perspective of these small communities working hard for a living. 
Evans most frequently used a large format (8x10) camera when taking his photos. 

In 1936 Evans was set an assignment by 'Fortune' magazine to shoot in Hale County, Alabama. He photographed three farming families in depth. However the story didn't actually run, but the pictures taken are now iconic of the great depression in rural parts of America. This picture of Allie Mae Burroughs, an Alabama cotton tenants wife is possibly Evans's most recognised photo, taken in his signature style - straight on and dispassionate. Usually a photo like this would not evoke feeling or emotion, but Evans manages to capture both the strength and fatigue in this picture. Her eyes strikingly powerful whereas her expression and appearance suggest struggle and weariness. 

Chris Killip (1946)

Chris Killip is well known largely for his photography book 'In Flagrante'. The photos taken seem to tell a story of the lives of the English who were worst effected by Thatcherism; They portray both a sense of struggle and depression, but also strong unity.

Many of Killips photos appear very gritty in texture suggesting a harsh and rough lifestyle. The lack of colour adds to this rough appearance, also, by shooting in black and white there are no destractions from the subject matter. Although the picture appear gritty, the tones seen are soft and gradual often with a high contrast. These soft tones could be seen to be revealing the softer side of this gritty lifestyle - maybe suggesting the lifestyle is gritty, but the people in the photos are not... The soft tones and high contrast seen in the pictures create depth making the pictures appear dramatic and heartfelt.

Robert Frank (1924)

Robert Frank was a photographer born in Switzerland in 1924. He is noted as a revolutionary figure in American photography, in particular for his book 'The Americans'. He began photographing as a way of escaping from the oppression of the war and his business orientated family.


Race and class are a common theme in his photography, this was largely because of the social divide between different races in America at the time; a time when blacks and whites lived in separate areas and couldn't even sit beside one another on public transport. 
Frank himself sympathised towards the segregated races, as can be seen in many of his photos. This is why his photography was so revolutionary; he was living ahead of most others. He could see that segregation of races was wrong and exploited this through his pictures.





Robert Frank - Indianapolis ('The Americans', 1955-1956)

This picture of a black couple ridding a traditional American Harley-Davidson would have been something few Europeans would have seen, and a rarity for most Americans themselves. The mixture of cultures in America at this time would have been a fascinating sight to many outside the country.
The components of this picture can all be seen as symbols of America - A large bike, jeans, leather jacket and people of colour. This intriguing culture developed from a mixture of cultures is captured perfectly in a single black and white shot.
The composition of the shot looks very well thought out. The way the couple are sat - both looking down and in a posture similar to that seen in a classical portrait painting. This posture seems to make the couple appear powerful or 'well-off'.
There's a sense of continuity throughout the couple that emphasises a unity between them - The angle of the mans arm is parallel to the woman's leg, their faces share the same expression, the hats they are wearing create similar lines across the forehead and the studs of the mans jacket match the studs on the Harley.

I particularly like the controversy of this photograph - typically at the time black people would have been seen as poor and lower class, but in this photo they seem to be living the 'American dream', ridding a big expensive Harley and wearing fashionable clothing. Much of Robert Franks photography is targeted at the different strata's within American society.

Robert Frank - Trolley, New Orleans. 1955.


This photograph depicts the separation of races in America at the time (1955). It is a picture of black and white Americans travelling on a trolley cart in New Orleans. At this time blacks and whites were kept separate on public transport - whites sitting to the front of the bus and blacks at the back with a white line inside the bus acting as a border not to be crossed. Frank captured this separation of races by framing the centre of the bus where the separating line would have been. 
As well as objectively capturing this segregation, Frank manages to capture the expressions on peoples faces revealing their attitudes towards this way of life; the white woman appears almost arrogant , looking at the camera but with her back turned. She, as well as the young children, is also well dressed looking very smart and 'upper class'. In comparison the black man and woman are seen with their bodies turned towards the camera which helps to create a feeling of empathy for them; they communicate with the viewer more so than say the elderly white woman. The black gentleman's expression appears to be one of desperation, maybe suggesting the struggle blacks were going through at the time. This makes the viewer feel further empathy for him/the black race. 


The photo is shot very formally; symmetrical with parallel lines. This makes the picture very easy to read with no obstruction or distraction to suggest any other implications.