Picture Analysis: Migrant Mother By Dorothea Lange

The picture titled “Migrant Mother” by Dorothea Lange is one of the most influential pictures throughout American history. The photograph exhibits the Florence Thompson’s face who is seen “with a furrowed forehead, and her two children who are shyly hiding their faces into the shoulders of Thompson” (Lanster, 2017). There are many aspects about why the photograph became one of the most iconic pictures in America. In many ways the pictures depict the effects in which the Great Depression had on parents who were struggling to persevere through the adversities of trying to keep a job and providing for their kids. The photograph was a symbolic figure for many Americans, however, to some it became quite controversial because of the way the photo

were manipulated. Although there’s no denying the impact and the symbolism of the photograph it does prompt whether it truly displayed the lives affected by the Great Depression.

Photo manipulation is quite common in photographs to bring more sentiment towards those that are viewing the photograph. For instance, the iconic photograph, “Migrant Mother” was actually altered by Lange in two blatant ways. The first way is in the way Lange excludes a part of Thompson’s hand and a thumb which is a holding a tent flap. The second way Lange was able to manipulate the photo was by staging the photo into what she believed would bring compassion and the overall image of what the Great Depression brought to families across America.

Lange’s most famous photograph “Migrant Mother” became a symbolic picture. It brought prosperity and an emotional impact to those that saw the photo. It may seem as though the image was taken on a whim, however, it took Lange six shots to find the perfect image. Yet, even with that last photo it took some photo manipulation to bring the image to what is known today as one of the most influential images. The two manipulation Lange used were stage managing and photo alteration. Firstly, it is important to note that Lange was known for her constant use stage managing. Stage managing is the

idea in which a photographer creates a scene to fitting to their desire. In the aspect of Lange, she was able to take several different photographs to get the right picture to depict what she believed was the best representation of the effects of the Great Depression. It took Lange several different shots to find the perfect picture. For example, in the initial photo taken, 14-year-old Viola, is sitting on a rocking chair, whereas daughter Katherine is seen smiling at the camera all the while Florence Thompson is seen looking back at Ruby, who is hiding behind her back. Rather than just seeing Florence Thompson and her two children who are shyly hiding their faces, it is strange to see that the initial photo was of family and the to see that Viola is sitting glumly on a rocking chair inside the tent. The photograph that is next to follow shows the family group who is seen standing and looking at the camera. The images include “the crude camp-life necessities of a kerosene lamp, a tin plate, a suitcase used as a table, a view of the barren ground beyond the tent, and Florence with a wedding ring” (Lanster, 2017). Although, the first several images showed a great amount of the family adversities there wasn’t enough emotional impact within the photograph. Thus it gave Thompson the idea to focus on the mother and her children who are seen behind her. The next photographs show the gradual stages in which Lange was able to capture the last image of the “Migrant Mother”. When comparing to the initial shot to the last shot there is a clear distinction. It is as if the woman is ignoring the gaze of the camera’s lens and posing in a distraught manner. In the beginning the children were seen looking at the camera lens but now there gaze is averting the camera. Furthermore, 14-year old Violet is no where in the last frame. These examples show the ways in which Lange was able to stage the “Migrant Mother” by adding in a few personal details to her liking.
The second and the most prominent way in which the Migrant Mother’s photo was manipulated is the alteration of the photo. The prominent portrait displays Thompson, looking far off into the distance while her two children are seen turning the other way. In the original snapshot it is clear Thompson’s thumb is seen wrapped around the tent flap and her hand holding the baby. However, the latest versions of the “Migrant Mother” shows Thompson’s thumb being retouched in a way where her thumb and is excluded from the photo.
In society today, many photographers try to garner attention to their photographs by manipulating photos in many ways. For instance, in the snapshot of the “Migrant Mother” it is clearly depicted that Lange used stage managing and photo alterations. This fact shouldn’t be a surprise as Lange was known for her constant use of stage managing her photographs. Just like the “Migrant Mother”, there are many other prominent photos where there is a clear distinction of modification in photos. The two most prominent photos that show examples of using stage managing or photo alterations are “The Kiss” by Hôtel De Ville and “The Massacre of Kent State University” by John Film. “The Kiss by Hôtel De Ville” appears as though the picture was taken by coincidence. However the snapshot was actually staged by Robert Doisneau. Robert Doisneau was on an assignment for Life magazine in Paris. While waiting at a café he noticed Françoise Delbart and Jacques Carteaud. Upon noticing them he asked if he can take snapshots of them in three different places with the last place being by Hôtel de Ville. It is explained in an article titled “One of History’s Most Romantic” by Francine Deroudille, (Robert Doisneau’s daughter), that the photo was solely selected because of “The sentiments showed in the picture are authentic. Truth here lies in the beauty of the impulse and a spontaneity that is closely linked to the French spirit and its capital city.” (Poirier, 2017). The second prominent photo known for its photo manipulation is “The Massacre of Kent State University”. This photo is known because of the use of altering the photos. The image of “The Massacre of Kent State University” was photographed by Pulitzer Prize winning photographer, John Film. Film took a photo of Mary Ann Vecchio, who is seen screaming over the body of student Jeffery Miller at Kent State University. The original photo taken displayed a fence post behind Vecchio. However this was removed in the early 1970s by an unknown editor. As a result of the early photo manipulation many didn’t know that the image was altered in any way. Yet, in the article “The Kent State Massacre Photo and the Case of the Missing Pole” by Michael Zang, it is explained that “One can only wonder why the missing pole hasn’t been noticed the previous times it has appeared, even though literally millions of people have seen the fence-post-less photo in publications dating back 23 years. At no time would LIFE’s photo, art or production department intentionally alter a news photograph.” (Zang, 2012).
A picture can tell a thousand words.

As a result, many photographers take pictures to keep society updated on the events that are happening around the world. However, many turn to the idea of manipulating images to garner awareness of the current events. Although there are many instances where many don’t realize that a photo has been altered, it brings into question, the concept of ethics. Personally when I look at a photograph I assume that the photo is a clear distinction of the event that had happened at the moment. However, when the photos becomes manipulated I feel as though the truth has been distorted. The reason being is because they I look at the image I start to create a pseudo reality of what might have taken place and I try to understand the symbolism and emotions of the photo. Once you distort these images it then brings into question about whether it is ethically okay to distort the image. Although some photo manipulations is considered okay by some, others disapprove on the idea because it deceives the public. Some examples in photos are manipulated is when people are trying to making someone or a product look more appealing. However, when a picture is being used for journalistic purposes and propaganda I definitely don’t approve of it. This reason is that you are deceiving the public from the truth. Furthermore, it brings into question the intentions of the photographer, is the photo that is being manipulated being made so to garner more attention to the

issue or for personal gains. Thus, I believe in the end it is solely up to the person viewing the images to decide whether it is ethically okay to manipulate the photo. Personally, the idea of photo manipulation isn’t ethically right because the photo is being distorted away from the truth.