Former University of Maryland Director of Athletics Lew Perkins Passes Away at Age 78

Lew Perkins, former Director of Athletics at the University of Maryland, has passed away at the age of 78. His family announced his passing on Tuesday.

While Perkins' legacy in sports is significant, this article will focus on a different kind of photography pioneer - Lewis Hine. A renowned documentary photographer, Hine's work had a lasting impact on child labor laws and continues to inspire photographers today.

Hine's Photo-Interpretations

Hine labeled his photographs 'photo-interpretations,' emphasizing his subjective involvement with his subjects. This approach became the model for many later documentary photographers, including Sid Grossman and Ben Shahn. His photographs not only played a crucial role in passing child labor laws but were also praised for their sympathetic depiction of individuals in harsh working conditions.

Documenting Child Labor

Hine is best known for his documentary images of child labor practices produced under the National Child Labor Committee from 1911 to 1916. These photographs have been credited with helping to pass child labor laws and are still widely admired today.

Reviving Interest in Hine's Work

In 1939, Berenice Abbott and Elizabeth McCausland mounted a traveling retrospective exhibition of Hine's work to revive interest in his photography. Despite the success of this book, Hine's financial situation became desperate, and his photography was virtually forgotten for many years.

Other Notable Works

Hine also produced photographs documenting construction projects, including Men at Work (1932), which celebrated the interaction between workers and machines. He photographed Ellis Island immigrants upon their arrival in the United States and documented the construction of the Empire State Building.

Later Life and Legacy

After returning to the United States from Europe, where he had worked as a Red Cross photographer during World War I, Hine continued to work on various projects, including documenting the effects of war. He also produced photographs for commercial clients and continued to advocate for social justice through his photography.

In conclusion, Lew Perkins may have left an indelible mark on the world of sports, but Lewis Hine's legacy in documentary photography is equally significant. His commitment to capturing the harsh realities of child labor and advocating for social change continues to inspire photographers today.

Lew later shop