I thought the short section on page 64 was an interesting part of this chapter. I think photography is really fascinating because it preserves a part of history for future generations to look at. To me, Migrant Mother captures an unforgettable time in our nation’s history. It shows the discouragement, heartache, and uncertainty people went through during the Great Depression. Dorothea Lange took this timeless picture in California
Personally, I like photography as a form of art much more than any type of abstract works. This simple photo shows more and has more meaning than all Cubism paintings combined. It shows many emotions and feelings that an artist with a brush simply cannot capture. It is easy to understand, and it I can find meaning in it without studying or trying to decipher it.
The book says that “photography was pressed into political service” during the Depression era. This kind of goes back to the idea that we talked about in class about propaganda. I don’t feel like Migrant Mother is propaganda even though the government used it to symbolize how terrible poverty and oppression are. Maybe its different when something is used to promote a good cause. All in all, I thought Migrant Mother and photography in the World War 1/Depression Era was fascinating, and it gets my approval of great art.
Lange has been called the greatest American documentary photographer
Other photos by Lange
More of Lange's photos:
