"The camera is an instrument that teaches people
how to see without a camera."
how to see without a camera."
Dorothea Lange (1895-1965)
Dorothea Lange was an American photographer, best known for
her influential work during the Great Depression-era. Lange captured the effects of
the Depression through her photography and impressively influenced the
development of documentary photography as well. She was born on May 26, 1985 in
Hoboken, New Jersey; where she went through a rough childhood. Dorothea
contracted polio at the age of 7 and was left with a limb. This disorder
transformed her life, as she stated- "It formed me, guided me, instructed
me, helped me and humiliated me. I've never gotten over it, and I am aware of
the force and power of it”.
Dorothea Lange studied her passion of photography at
Columbia University and worked at a New York portrait studio with a famous
portrait photographer, Arnold Genthe. Her independent personality led her to
travel and move to San Francisco in 1918; where she further pursued her studio
work in the 1920’s. The social turmoil caused by the Great Depression steered
Lange to the streets where she acquired some of her best work. Her most recognized
image, Migrant Mother, Nipoma, California, 1936 is now in the Library of
Congress collection. Also, during World War II Lange documented the imprisonment
of Japanese-Americans in camps and then went on to work along with women and
members of minority groups in California shipyards. During 1950’s and 60’s,
Lange traveled to Vietnam, Ireland, Pakistan and India; where she composed many
photographic essays for Life magazine.
Dorothea Lange was an influential figure, not just through
her work but also as a human being. She was able to capture emotions and
struggles of people who endured harsh living environments. Her disadvantaged
childhood impacted her work that reflects compassion and deep empathy for her
subjects. Dorothea Lange captured and documented the social upheaval and silent
sufferings of people, not only in America but around the world as well.
Some of Lange's work:
http://www.myhero.com/go/hero.asp?hero=d_lange This website offers information on Lange's personal life, personality, travels, and her work. It also includes some of the famous quotes by Lange that reflect her thoughts about photography.
http://www.shorpy.com/dorothea-lange-photographs This Link will provide you with Lange's accomplished work.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dorothea-Lange/108306589190438?sk=wiki This is a dedicated Facebook page to Dorothea Lange. Where you can view a summary of her biography and also participate by "liking" the page.