Steel Mills and Workers' Houses 1936

Walker Evans's "Steel Mills and Workers' Houses" (1936) is a powerful photograph that captures the stark realities of industrial life in America. Evans, a leading figure in the documentary photography movement, captured the contrast between the imposing steel mill and the modest homes of the workers who fueled its operation. The image’s composition, framing the row of houses against the imposing backdrop of the steel mill, emphasizes the division between the workplace and home life, while the empty dirt road in the foreground suggests a sense of isolation and distance between the two. This iconic photograph is a powerful testament to Evans's commitment to social realism, and to his ability to reveal the human condition through the lens of his camera.