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Haelim Kim
Fern Helfand
VISA110 001
2016/Feb/01
Synopsis of Lewis W. Hine
Lewis Wickes Hine (Lewis W. Hine) was a sociologist and photographer who was deeply
committed to social reform by using his photographs. He was one of the greatest American
photographers due to his illustrious achievements in changing the child labor laws in the United
States. Based on his education background of studying sociology at the university, he could
create documentary photography that relevantly criticized society. He also released photographs
series called work portraits.

figure 1. Adolescent Girl, a Spinner, in a Carolina Cotton Mill (1908) Princeton University Art
Museum

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One of his art work Adolescent Girl represents how child labor was serious at that
period because in that photography the young girl looked so exhausted at work in the mill.
Moreover, while Lewis was taking picture of her she was still touching the equipment in the mill
which shows how she was forced to work. Moreover, he also recorded the interview of the young
girl in the above picture. When reporter asked how old she was, she hesitated, then said, "I don't
remember," then added confidentially, "I'm not old enough to work, but do just the same." Out of
50 employees, there were ten children about her size (Whitnel, North Carolina). Like this, Lewis
Hine was always trying to show the real side effects of child labour in the United States and also
contributed to change it.

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Works Cited
Historyplace. Child Labor in America 1908-1912 Photographs of Lewis W. Hine
The History place, (n.a). Website