The Life and Legacy of Dorothea Lange: Capturing America's Struggles

Explore the life and legacy of Dorothea Lange, the renowned American photographer known for her powerful Depression-era images. Discover her top 10 famous photographs.

Dorothea Lange, an influential American photographer, is celebrated for her poignant images that documented the Great Depression and reshaped photojournalism. Born in 1895 in Hoboken, New Jersey, Lange's early life was marked by adversity, including a bout with polio that left her with a lifelong limp. Despite this, she pursued a career in photography, studying at Columbia University and later opening a successful portrait studio in San Francisco.

During the 1930s, Lange began working for the Farm Security Administration (FSA), capturing images of displaced farmers and struggling families.

Her work provided a stark, humanizing look at the effects of the Great Depression, bringing attention to the plight of the poor and influencing public perception and policy.

Famous Photographs by Dorothea Lange

1. Migrant Mother (1936): This haunting image of Florence Owens Thompson and her children epitomizes the desperation and resilience of Depression-era America.
2. White Angel Breadline (1933): Captures a man standing in line for free food in San Francisco, highlighting the widespread hunger and poverty of the era.
3. Ditched, Stalled, and Stranded, San Joaquin Valley, California (1935): Depicts a stranded family, emphasizing the harsh realities faced by many during the Dust Bowl.
4. Mendicant, San Francisco (1934): Shows a man begging on the streets, reflecting the economic disparity of the time.
5. Damaged Child, Shacktown, Elm Grove, Oklahoma (1936): Portrays a young girl living in poverty, her expression conveying the emotional toll of economic hardship.
6. Woman of the High Plains (1938): A striking portrait of a woman living in the Dust Bowl, showcasing Lange’s ability to capture the dignity and strength of her subjects.
7. Japanese-American Internment (1942): Lange documented the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, revealing the injustices faced by this community.
8. Towards Los Angeles, California (1937): Depicts migrant workers traveling in search of better opportunities, highlighting the transient nature of their lives.
9. Woman from Texas, now a Californian (1935): A powerful portrait of a displaced woman, capturing the personal impact of the Great Depression.
10. Funeral Cortege, End of an Era in a Small Valley Town (1938): Captures a funeral procession, symbolizing the end of an era and the profound changes brought by economic hardship.

Dorothea Lange’s work remains a testament to her skill as a photographer and her commitment to social justice.

Her images not only document historical events but also convey deep empathy and understanding for her subjects, making her one of the most significant photographers of the 20th century.

Interested in Photography? Check Out These Resources:
Online Portrait Photography Course, by Domestika
The Secrets of Portrait Photography, a course by Bob Wolfenson
Hard Light and Diffused Light in Photography, an article by Lucia Alonso