The Candid Frame: Conversations on Photography TCF Ep. 647 - Frank Jackson
Oct 1, 2025
Frank Jackson, a seasoned photographer celebrated for his striking black-and-white street photography and portraiture, shares his artistic journey. He dives into his early experiences with film processing and how those lessons shaped his aesthetic. Frank discusses the influence of Ansel Adams and his application of the Zone System. He reveals his intimate coffee cup series, exploring its emotional connections. Frank also opens up about his health struggles with Myasthenia Gravis and how it transformed his artistic perspective, urging young photographers to embrace patience and authenticity.
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Learning Through Darkroom Practice
- Frank Jackson learned photography by processing his own film and matching prints to how he saw scenes in his head.
- He practiced metering and darkroom control because he couldn't afford lab processing and that honed his vision.
Master Printing To Improve Photography
- Learn printing and processing because it teaches you exposure, contrast and how images translate to paper.
- Use tools like DxO PhotoLab and Nik for black-and-white conversion if you didn't learn wet darkroom methods.
Zone Thinking Beyond Landscapes
- Frank applied Ansel Adams' zone system ideas to his own subjects to control tonal depth.
- He emphasizes metering and processing choices to make white stay white and black stay black for depth.
