Martine Franck
Martine Franck (1938-2012) despite that there are not so many famous women photographers in street genre, has become one of the most well-known women in documentary and street photography, due to the amazing sense of beauty that fills her every shot. Martine was photographing with a 35mm Leica camera and preferred monochrome.
Martine Franck was born in Belgium. As a child, she lived between America and England. She studied art history at the University of Madrid and the University of Paris. In the early 60s, she made a trip to the Far East, which influenced her a lot. In this trip Martina first picked up a camera and realised what she wanted to do in life. In 1963 in Paris she started to work as an assistant to famous photographers. At the same time, in 1964, Franck photographed the birth of the legendary circus “Théâtre du Soleil”, becoming afterwards their official photographer, capturing the events of the circus.
Martine Franck was born in Belgium. As a child, she lived between America and England. She studied art history at the University of Madrid and the University of Paris. In the early 60s, she made a trip to the Far East, which influenced her a lot. In this trip Martina first picked up a camera and realised what she wanted to do in life. In 1963 in Paris she started to work as an assistant to famous photographers. At the same time, in 1964, Franck photographed the birth of the legendary circus “Théâtre du Soleil”, becoming afterwards their official photographer, capturing the events of the circus.
Martine Franck
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«Photography came as a substitute. I was painfully shy and found talking to people difficult; a camera in hand gave me a function, a reason to be somewhere, a witness, but not an actor».
She turned her flaw into advantage: her photographs are really photographs of a "witness". She does not interfere with life, she simply records it as an outside observer. The photographer is not "present in the frame", and even more so does not exert any pressure on the heroes. Martine's photography is a pure fact in its original form.
In 1966, Martine Franck photographed Paris Fashion Week for the New York Times, where she met Henri Cartier-Bresson, already a famous artist. In many ways this meeting became key point in the life and work of both of them. In 1970 they got married. From 1970-1971 Frank worked for the Vu Photo Agency, and in 1972 she became co-founder of it.
In 1966, Martine Franck photographed Paris Fashion Week for the New York Times, where she met Henri Cartier-Bresson, already a famous artist. In many ways this meeting became key point in the life and work of both of them. In 1970 they got married. From 1970-1971 Frank worked for the Vu Photo Agency, and in 1972 she became co-founder of it.
In 1980 Martine joined Magnum Agency. This happened only after 15 years of a wonderful married life. She didn't want to be in the shadow of her husband, so she endowed her works with her own style and charm.
Franck has produced many beautiful portraits of artists and writers, including an outstanding series on women for Vogue. In 1983 she completed a project for the French Ministry about Women's Rights.
Since 1985, Franck has actively collaborated with the International Federation of Little Brothers of the Poor, an international organization that cares for the elderly and homeless people.
Franck has produced many beautiful portraits of artists and writers, including an outstanding series on women for Vogue. In 1983 she completed a project for the French Ministry about Women's Rights.
Since 1985, Franck has actively collaborated with the International Federation of Little Brothers of the Poor, an international organization that cares for the elderly and homeless people.
«I don’t intervene in life — I witness it, letting reality unfold without pressure or intrusion».
Old age is one of the key themes of Franck's photography. She dedicated her book "Time to grow old" to this theme. It contains photographs from the everyday life of the Petit Frere association, which deals with the elderly. Frank saw the result of her work not only in the book, but also in the fact that photography helped change people's attitudes towards old age.
In the early 1990s, Martine Franck made her second trip to Asia. She captured a photo story about Tibetan children in India and Nepal. Franck showed the world of young Tibetan monks, who are the reincarnations of the great ancient spiritual teachers.
Since 2004 Martine Franck has photographed projects about Georgia, India and Japan for Magnum Photos, and continued to work on her own series in her studio in Paris.
Martine Franck died on August 16, 2012 at the age of 74. All photos of this amazingly talented woman are presented on the Magnum Photos website.
In the early 1990s, Martine Franck made her second trip to Asia. She captured a photo story about Tibetan children in India and Nepal. Franck showed the world of young Tibetan monks, who are the reincarnations of the great ancient spiritual teachers.
Since 2004 Martine Franck has photographed projects about Georgia, India and Japan for Magnum Photos, and continued to work on her own series in her studio in Paris.
Martine Franck died on August 16, 2012 at the age of 74. All photos of this amazingly talented woman are presented on the Magnum Photos website.
Main rules of photography by Martine Franck
Clear forms in composition
In her photographs there is a clear adherence to the form, transition of objects into figures, where volumetric figures become geometric forms.
Attentiveness to the hero of the portrait shooting
“I have a passion for portraiture. This is a new meeting every time. Before shooting, I feel fear, as before going on stage, but gradually the tongues are untied, and we get to know each other. I try to catch the sparkle in my eyes, a characteristic gesture, a moment of attention, concentration, when the model listens but does not speak. “
The harmony of the photograph
A sense of peace and tranquility in Franck's images. Filling the frame is not always about characters or actions. Calm moments and meditative compositions are also characteristic of Martine Franck photography.
Clear forms in composition
In her photographs there is a clear adherence to the form, transition of objects into figures, where volumetric figures become geometric forms.
Attentiveness to the hero of the portrait shooting
“I have a passion for portraiture. This is a new meeting every time. Before shooting, I feel fear, as before going on stage, but gradually the tongues are untied, and we get to know each other. I try to catch the sparkle in my eyes, a characteristic gesture, a moment of attention, concentration, when the model listens but does not speak. “
The harmony of the photograph
A sense of peace and tranquility in Franck's images. Filling the frame is not always about characters or actions. Calm moments and meditative compositions are also characteristic of Martine Franck photography.