Since reading many
passages of Wells’ book and sitting through lectures, the work of Jacob Riis
has always resonated with me. His work has a sense of unity as they all share
the averted gazes of the people he photographs. It is admiring how fervent Riis
was on exploiting the jarring conditions of the poverty and misery in the East
Side slums of New York City. It is amazing how much Riis was able to express
despite the lack formal aesthetic qualities of his work. His photographs of
overcrowded rooms lit by the crude flash of his camera foreshadowed the
documentary photographs that would become famous with help of the creation of
the FSA. I find it very interesting the extent to which Riis made sure the
people he photographed were in the exact positions he wanted instead of the
inherent nature of poverty. The people he photographed were cramped, tired,
hot, and sweating but revealed no identity. Instead they sat as a blank outline
of a group labeled ‘impoverished’. Riis’ work is marveled for its consistency
and lack of attention paid toward the camera. My question is how this adds to
his work. Wells sheds light on this question when she says, “A history of
documentary could be structured around an account of the association between
photographer and subject, and of the power relationships that are mediated
between them” (Wells 78). As well describes, photographers often picture those
in poverty as passive victims, instead of people who are active in trying to
survive and make money for their families. After reading this passage, I began
to admire this element of Riis’ work. He is not revealing these unfortunate
situations begging for the empathy of the viewer, he more tries to reveal what
these amazing humans will do just to survive. They stand strong in the face of
hardships. Stone faced and averting the gaze of their documentation, these
working people do not expect help from anyone. They will do whatever it takes
to survive and Riis respects that as you can see throughout his work.
1 comment:
I agree with your interpretation's of Riis' work. Being able to capture the strength and emotion that an underprivileged person was something that he did very well. By excluding the formal aspects of photography he was able to capture a more realistic and personal scene that others couldn't. It brings more importance to the subject matter and the fact that the people aren't being demoralized but looked at as equals.
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