Dorothea Lange

Definition

Dorothea Lange was an American documentary photographer known for her poignant images that captured the struggles of displaced families during the Great Depression. Her work, particularly with the Farm Security Administration, is renowned for its ability to convey deep emotional narratives and raise awareness about social issues, making her a key figure in social documentary photography and photojournalism ethics.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Lange's most famous photograph, 'Migrant Mother,' depicts a struggling mother and her children and became an iconic representation of the Great Depression.
2. She worked for the Farm Security Administration from 1935 to 1944, where her images helped inform public policy and mobilize aid for impoverished farmers.
3. Lange's approach often combined artistic sensibility with social advocacy, making her work both visually striking and deeply impactful.
4. Her images not only documented individual hardships but also highlighted broader societal issues such as poverty, migration, and family dislocation.
5. Lange's commitment to ethical photojournalism included obtaining consent from her subjects and presenting their stories with dignity and respect.

Review Questions

• How did Dorothea Lange's work with the Farm Security Administration influence public perception of the Great Depression?
  • Lange's photographs for the Farm Security Administration significantly shaped public perception of the Great Depression by humanizing the plight of displaced families. Through compelling images like 'Migrant Mother,' she was able to evoke empathy and raise awareness about the severe economic struggles faced by many Americans. Her work not only documented these hardships but also played a critical role in mobilizing governmental aid and influencing social policies aimed at alleviating poverty.
• Discuss the ethical considerations Lange adhered to in her photojournalistic practice, particularly regarding her subjects' portrayal.
  • Dorothea Lange maintained high ethical standards in her photojournalism by prioritizing the dignity of her subjects. She believed in obtaining consent before photographing individuals and aimed to portray their stories truthfully, without exploiting their hardships. This approach fostered trust between Lange and her subjects, allowing her to capture more authentic representations of their experiences while ensuring their voices were respected in the narrative she presented through her photographs.
• Evaluate the impact of Lange's photographic style on social documentary photography and its role in advocating for political and social change.
  • Dorothea Lange's photographic style significantly impacted social documentary photography by combining artistic vision with a profound commitment to social advocacy. Her ability to capture intimate moments of human suffering created powerful images that resonated with viewers, inspiring them to confront pressing social issues. Lange's work not only documented reality but also contributed to political and social change by raising awareness about poverty and injustice, ultimately influencing public policy and helping to shape the discourse around humanitarian issues in America.

Related terms

Farm Security Administration:

A New Deal agency created to combat rural poverty during the Great Depression, which commissioned photographers like Lange to document the lives of struggling families.

Photojournalism: A genre of photography that tells news stories through images, often focusing on social issues and significant events.

Social Documentary Photography: A style of photography aimed at capturing and raising awareness about social issues and injustices, often with a focus on marginalized communities.