Robert Frank's "The Americans"

Robert Frank's book "The Americans" was published in 1959. It contained 83 photographs that he took when he crossed America by car. Seeing the country as an outsider would see it. For the cover of his book he chose a powerful photograph that he took demonstrating in one shot the everyday segregation between ordinary black and white people that was taking place at that time. It's a portrait of America that still haunts decades later.

Arthur Lubow wrote an article about this photograph for the New York Times in June 2020 when countries around the world including America were in the grip of a movement to acknowledge that more still needed to be done to combat racism, both in everyday life and in that of establishments such as police forces.

His article is a fantastic example of analysis. Read it carefully paying particular attention to how Arthur is interpreting what he can see in the photograph. How he moves from one part of the photograph to another explaining what each little detail means. Look for examples as to how to he has linked what he can see with he knows to have been happening in that time. You may need to read it twice.

Arthur Lubow's Analysis

In this part you will answer some questions about Arthur Lubow's article. In doing so, you will 'dissect' the analysis, picking out some of the key characteristics. You may need to read the article multiple times.

1. The first time you read through the analysis, make a list of any words you don't fully understand yet.

2. Add up how many times Arthur describes 'something'.

3. Identify a part in his analysis where Arthur demonstrates he has done some sort of research. Maybe he talks about something from the past. Can you find any examples of this?

4. Give one example when Arthur makes links between this photograph and others that he has seen. Why do you think he has done this?

5. Give one example of where a specific element in the photograph such as graphics, patterns, text has been compared to similar iconography.

6. Identify a time in the analysis where Arthur gives his opinion.

7. Did you learn anything from reading the analysis? What was it?

8. Do you like the photograph? Why? Do you like Arthur Lubow's analysis of it?

A great analysis does all the things that Arthur did. Working in small groups (or on your own), look through my questions, your answers and the article again and make a list of what should be included in an analysis.

After you have done this, scroll down and compare it to my list. No peaking!

I said no peaking!

Part 3 Practicing analysis continued

To 'analyse' is a high order skill. In the BTEC Creative Media course 'analysis' is only achieved at distinction level. You can learn to analyse by doing the lower order skills of 'identify', 'describe' and 'discuss' really well. Analysis is not a 'thing' in its own right. Its a collection of smaller things done well. We can all do the smaller 'things' well!

1. Identify - Identify a variety of different aspects that you want to talk about. You can't analyse well if you only focus on one small thing. Look at the product and identify a variety of different things you are going to talk about.

2. Describe - it is not enough to simply list all the things you want to talk about. You have go further than that and focus on each on in detail. One way to do this is to describe the 'thing'. Describe what it looks like, position, colour, scale etc. Imagine you describing the 'thing' to someone who can't see it for themselves. What would you say?

3. Discuss - If I showed you a lemon and asked you to describe it to me you could. We can all describe 'things'. But could you engage in a lengthy discussion with me regarding the lemon? We could both give our opinion on whether or not we liked lemons and why. We could compare the lemon to other fruit and decide whether we liked the lemon more or less giving reasons. You could look into the geography of lemons and give me some background information into where they are grown, the conditions that are needed etc. You could look up the history of lemons. How they came here. We could even share our favourite lemon recipes (lemon chicken is superb by the way!).

4. Analyse - By the time you have done all of the above, you are pretty much at analysis level. Almost. For analysis means 'methodically and in detail'. You could do all the above and it could be unorganized and difficult to follow. I could be confused after our jolly discussion about lemons if you hadn't described the lemon in the first place. I could get bored with our discussion if you simply stated facts about lemons without asking for my opinion or giving yours. You could share a recipe for lemonade but omit to tell me that in your opinion it was too sweet and slightly less sugar was needed when I come to make it. Analysis is when you clearly know what you want to write out, you clearly organise your thoughts and ideas, you research around the issues so that you can make links and comparison and you give your opinions backed up by what you know and have found out. Providing sound conclusions to your findings to coherently wrap the whole thing up.

Over to You

It's your turn now to have a go at 'analysing'. Much of Arthur Lublow's analysis is his opinion based on his knowledge of America at the time the photograph was taken. But much of it is also his own personal opinion. Such as when he talks about the black man looking exhausted and his thoughts on how the young white boy is holding onto the pillar. These are his opinions. I want you to analyse one part of this photograph again. The part you analyse is entirely up to you. Once you have chosen it use the list below to structure your analysis of it (remember though a true analysis would be methodical and in detail, but we are only practicing so we will focus on just one part for this exercise):

• Identify the part of the photograph you want to analyse. Make it clear which part that is. Screenshot the part and paste at the top of your analysis.

• Describe your chosen part of the photograph in detail.

• Discuss what your own thoughts and opinions are about your chosen part. Provide opposing opinions (as if you were debating with yourself). Can you back these up with any research? Can you make links to other images or experiences you may have had?

• Provide a conclusion to your analysis. Maybe start with 'In conclusion, all things considered I ultimately believe that...'