Just looked at a book of excellent Robert Frank photographs....
Aug 21, 2021 12:40:22 #
Aug 21, 2021 12:47:52 #
Aug 21, 2021 13:58:44 #
Aug 21, 2021 15:49:14 #
srt101fan wrote:
none of them are "sharp".....🤔
Most of HCB photographs are not sharp either.
Aug 21, 2021 19:19:05 #
I assume you are talking about his book "The Americans". When it came out, it got terrible reviews, complaining about unsharpness, graininess, tilted horizons, and in general, showing American life in a bad light. But it influenced a generation of photographers and is now considered a classic, and one of my personal favorite photography books.
Aug 21, 2021 20:27:50 #
JohnSwanda wrote:
I assume you are talking about his book "The Americans". When it came out, it got terrible reviews, complaining about unsharpness, graininess, tilted horizons, and in general, showing American life in a bad light. But it influenced a generation of photographers and is now considered a classic, and one of my personal favorite photography books.
I've seen the book "The Americans" and remember reading that it became a very influential work. The book I was actually looking at is the "Robert Frank" volume of "The Aperture History of Photography Series". Thanks for commenting.
Aug 21, 2021 20:52:57 #
Retired CPO wrote:
Even Robert Frank has some things to learn!
Uh huh, like never submit your pix to an online forum’s gallery cuz thaz really just pearls before swine.
Aug 21, 2021 20:58:49 #
Sharpness is vastly overrated. And many wannabe geeksperts have it all confused with resolution.
Aug 21, 2021 21:43:07 #
User ID wrote:
Sharpness is vastly overrated. And many wannabe geeksperts have it all confused with resolution.
I don't think the problem is that sharpness is overrated as much as it is one of preaching that sharpness is essential in all photos. No, it isn't!....
Aug 22, 2021 00:56:56 #
srt101fan wrote:
I don't think the problem is that sharpness is overrated as much as it is one of preaching that sharpness is essential in all photos. No, it isn't!....
Indeed, there is even a genre known as ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) photography.https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2019/09/12/759470766/how-robert-franks-vision-influenced-and-inspired-generations-of-photographers
Aug 22, 2021 06:25:19 #
MDI Mainer wrote: Indeed, there is even a genre known as ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) photography.
https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2019/09/12/759470766/how-robert-franks-vision-influenced-and-inspired-generations-of-photographers
Indeed, there is even a genre known as ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) photography.https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2019/09/12/759470766/how-robert-franks-vision-influenced-and-inspired-generations-of-photographers
Thank you for that link. A very interesting read....
Aug 22, 2021 08:01:22 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Oh Pete, did you have to go there 
Just musings from an old guy looking at old photo books while taking a break from packing.
And pointing to a genre of photography that unfortunately doesn't get much play on UHH....
Aug 22, 2021 09:35:13 #
Sharpness is overrated? There’s hope for me, after all?
Aug 22, 2021 13:38:36 #
Aug 22, 2021 14:04:34 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
I agree that not every picture needs to be sharp...
Sometimes softer focus overall or only selective sharpness is needed. Playing sharp off against unsharp can help make a two-dimensional image appear more three-dimensional... or it can suggest movement... or it can draw attention to a select area.... or it can be to suggest a mood.
Some deliberately unsharp photos (partial or whole image):
I won't go as far as saying that sharpness is overdone. There are subjects and images that demand it. But I do think some folks tend to obsess over sharpness and need to lighten up or maybe even experiment with making some deliberately unsharp images!
Sometimes softer focus overall or only selective sharpness is needed. Playing sharp off against unsharp can help make a two-dimensional image appear more three-dimensional... or it can suggest movement... or it can draw attention to a select area.... or it can be to suggest a mood.
Some deliberately unsharp photos (partial or whole image):
I won't go as far as saying that sharpness is overdone. There are subjects and images that demand it. But I do think some folks tend to obsess over sharpness and need to lighten up or maybe even experiment with making some deliberately unsharp images!
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