Untitled, Shenango Ingot Molds (Working People series) 1978 - 1981

Milton Rogovin made this photograph, part of his Working People series, at Shenango Ingot Molds. The photo is a study in contrasts, isn't it? The dark background makes the man's face and work clothes stand out. The texture is really important here. Look closely at the man’s hands and the fabric of his clothes; they’re rough, worn, telling a story of hard labor, or, rather, the story that so much labor is hard. The light catches on these surfaces, making them almost sculptural. The gloves he is holding look like some kind of strange animal. And his cap and slightly unbuttoned shirt soften his gaze, which would otherwise be too penetrating. Rogovin reminds me of Dorothea Lange, both with a deep respect for their subjects, and commitment to showing us the dignity of everyday people. There’s no posing here, just a quiet, powerful presence. The photo is a meditation on work, time, and the human spirit, it invites us to contemplate the lives of those who often go unseen.