Comments on: Images of Child Labor Between 1908 and 1924

By: shakazulu2496

shakazulu2496 — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 15:41:00 +0000

I’m loving the Depth of Field on these shots!

By: Daniel Scheirer

Daniel Scheirer — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 20:21:00 +0000

Depending on when the photos were taken, Hine could have been using 5×7 view camera or later, starting in 1920, a 4×5 graflex, which was possibly capable of capturing more candid type shots.

By: Daniel Scheirer

Daniel Scheirer — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 19:42:00 +0000

It’s not that they are not shocking enough, because such a statement suggests that the only intent of the photographer was to capture his subjects in their most abject states, the only goal being to bring their terrible condition to light in the most shocking manner possible. Documentary photographers all have their own intent and approach to capturing their subjects, as well as their own end goals for the photos they take. The fact that these photos do not simply show portrayals of poverty, cruelty and despair, says something important about Hines relationship with his subjects. His images show an empathy for his subjects that is not present in all images from this era. Some photographers kept their subjects at arms length and did not attempt to relate to the individuals in their photos. Instead, they had a goal in mind to show a particular version of reality and are less concerned with the subjects themselves. What Hine shows in these photos is his desire to present to society the juxtaposition between these innocent children and their appalling conditions. He wanted people to see these children as they existed in reality, which was not only as bedraggled mass of anonymous, unfortunate souls, but as kids who smile, like all children do, and who deserve the attention and help of adults (the viewers of the images). Hine could have easily chosen to exaggerate the shocking aspects of their existence, yet he chose a more human and less shocking way to connect the viewer to his subjects and create concern for the conditions of child laborers without ignoring the fact that these were human being and not just tools in illustrating some larger idea that does not require the preservation of the subject’s dignity to make its point.

Post by Dan Scheirer (Sorry, my name didn’t post in this first comment.

By: John Godwin

John Godwin — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 19:15:00 +0000

These are absolutely amazing. 100 years is a long time, I know but it’s an eye-blink in human history, and it’s amazing just how far certain aspects of our civility has come.

By: Zac Gibson

Zac Gibson — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 19:13:00 +0000

I agree that the images themselves arent shocking but they arent supposed to be. Hine is the godfather of documentary portraiture photography and his images reflect that, I personally feel it challeges the viewer to read further into the image and actually think about it rather than thinking ‘ooo thats a bit grim’ etc. The use of shocking imagery has become more prominent in modern documentary photography but a lot of the times the image is more shocking than the problem surrounding it.

Hine was also one of the first people who used their photography to influence change, something that has been lost in modern photography in my opinion. I would also argue it can be difficult capturing candid moments using a large format cameras.

By: Brandon Hansen

Brandon Hansen — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 17:59:00 +0000

Wow, way to be a dick. I agree with James. The portraits are not nearly as shocking as I expected them to be. Most seem almost happy. I think that is all he was pointing out. Definitely not worth the harsh sarcasm you felt the need to dish out.

By: Jaron Schneider

Jaron Schneider — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 17:55:00 +0000

Again? Can you screen capture that warning and email it to me: jaron@fstoppers.com. The last time it happened, it was a very out of date warning. But just to be sure…

By: Dave Vanz

Dave Vanz — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 17:37:00 +0000

Looks like kids whose families required a family effort to survive.

By: tompano1

tompano1 — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 17:29:00 +0000

Just a general warning to the FStoppers team. When i tried to enter this page my antivirus gave a warning about a potential trojan. Might be a false alarm but still.

By: Ryan Preston Douglas

Ryan Preston Douglas — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 17:11:00 +0000

I agree with James, seem kinda happy to me