Turning Down Metal Work c. 1920s

Lewis Hine created this photograph titled "Turning Down Metal Work" using gelatin silver print. The composition is dominated by the subject’s intense focus, mirrored by the grinding wheel, creating a visual rhythm of circular forms. This contrasts with the rectangular shapes in the background suggesting a tension between man and machine. Hine, known for his social documentary work, complicates a straightforward reading of labor with this image. The textures are rich, from the worker's worn apron to the smooth metal, emphasizing the physical engagement required by this craft. This close attention to materiality elevates the worker's actions beyond mere labour, suggesting an almost sculptural interaction with his materials. The photograph offers a meditation on labour itself. Hine invites us to consider the ways in which individuals interact with their tools and materials to shape not only objects but also their own identities.