Frank, Robert. The Pictures Are a Necessity: Robert Frank in Rochester, NY, November 1988, edited by William S. Johnson.

George Eastman House, 1989. Wraps, 220 pages.  Issued as Rochester Film & Photo Consortium Occasional Papers No. 2, January 1989.  Very good with 1/4 inch tear at top of front cover near spine and name of previous owner, photographer and photography educator Sally Davidson, at top right corner on title page.  Essays on Frank with transcript of interview/workshop. Extensive bibliography on pages 185 to 219.  Not issued with ISBN number. Scarce. Summary:

The Pictures Are a Necessity (1989), edited by William S. Johnson, is a unique "archival transcript" that captures the raw, unfiltered philosophy of Robert Frank during a rare public appearance at the George Eastman House. The book documents Frank’s interactions with students and curators, providing a vital counter-narrative to the polished "legend" of the man who redefined American photography.

Core Themes and Narrative

• The Rejection of the Icon: Throughout the discussions, Frank actively resists the "sanctification" of his seminal work, The Americans. He argues that a photographer must constantly "destroy" their past successes to remain creatively honest.

• Necessity vs. Art: The title reflects Frank’s core belief: he didn't take pictures to make "art," but out of a biological and psychological necessity. The book explores his transition from still photography to experimental film as a search for a more "truthful" (if less perfect) medium.

• The Dialogue of the Outsider: Frank’s voice is that of the eternal immigrant. He discusses the "Look" of America from the perspective of someone who remains perpetually unassimilated, valuing the "mistake" over the "masterpiece."