Dorothea Lange

Definition

Dorothea Lange was an American photographer and photojournalist best known for her impactful work during the Great Depression, particularly her iconic images of displaced families and migrant workers. Her powerful storytelling through photography not only defined an era but also highlighted the role of photojournalism in social advocacy and human rights.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dorothea Lange's most famous photograph, 'Migrant Mother,' depicts a struggling mother with her children and has become a symbol of the Great Depression.
2. Lange's work for the FSA allowed her to document the dire conditions faced by impoverished Americans, leading to increased public awareness and government support.
3. Her photographs were not just artistic expressions; they served as powerful political tools to influence public opinion and inspire social change.
4. In addition to the Great Depression, Lange documented Japanese American internment during World War II, showcasing her commitment to social justice.
5. Lange's approach combined empathy with visual storytelling, making her a pioneer in capturing emotion and human interaction through photography.

Review Questions

• How did Dorothea Lange's work contribute to the role of photojournalism in advocating for social change during the Great Depression?
  • Dorothea Lange's photography played a crucial role in illustrating the harsh realities faced by displaced families and migrant workers during the Great Depression. By capturing raw emotions and personal stories in her images, Lange's work helped to humanize the struggles of these individuals, thereby raising public awareness and prompting government intervention. Her impactful photographs not only documented a pivotal moment in history but also emphasized photojournalism's potential as a tool for social advocacy.
• Evaluate the impact of Lange's employment with the Farm Security Administration on her photographic style and subject matter.
  • Lange's employment with the Farm Security Administration profoundly shaped her photographic style and subject matter by focusing on rural poverty and the plight of farmers. The FSA provided her with the resources and platform to document real-life struggles authentically. This experience led her to develop a more empathetic approach that captured the dignity and resilience of her subjects, distinguishing her work from other photographers of her time.
• Assess how Dorothea Lange's legacy continues to influence modern photojournalism and the pursuit of social justice.
  • Dorothea Lange's legacy is evident in contemporary photojournalism, where her commitment to capturing human emotion and social issues remains influential. Modern photographers draw inspiration from her ability to tell powerful stories through images that advocate for social justice. Today, photographers continue to address pressing societal challenges through their work, maintaining Lange’s ethos of using photography as a means for advocacy and change. Her approach encourages current and future generations to recognize the importance of empathy in storytelling.

Related terms

FSA (Farm Security Administration): A New Deal agency that aimed to combat rural poverty during the Great Depression, which employed Lange to document the struggles of American farmers and their families.

Documentary Photography: A style of photography that provides a straightforward and accurate representation of people, places, and events, often used in social reform efforts.

Social Justice: The concept of fair and just relations between individuals and society, often pursued through activism and advocacy depicted in various forms of media, including photography.