Applied Visual Anthropology in the Progressive Era: The Influence of Lewis Hine’s Child Labor Photographs

Abstract

This case study discusses how the interpretive photographer, Lewis W. Hine (1874-1940), and his Child Labor series (1908-1918) during the Progressive Era in America (1890-1920) could be considered a precursor to applied visual anthropology. Identifying his work as interpretive of reformers’ values rather than documented evidence demonstrates one method of photographic ethnography, which drives the approach of applied visual anthropology. This paper analyzes the successes and limitations of Hine’s approach, and will identify examples of his work in order to show how his investigations contributed towards the development of an applied visual anthropological approach.

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Ashley Cerku

Ashley Cerku first studied English and Writing/Rhetoric, and gained a MA in Liberal Studies from Oakland University (Rochester, Michigan). She is currently the Operations Coordinator at the Oakland University Writing Center where she helps train consultants through professional development seminars and meetings, as well as helps students, faculty, and staff with every stage of their writing. Her current interests include anthropology, photography and writing, and she is investigating the importance of this interdisciplinary relationship.