Hubert Morrison with Family, Atlas Steel (Working People series) 1978

Curator: This compelling gelatin silver print is by Milton Rogovin, titled "Hubert Morrison with Family, Atlas Steel," part of his "Working People" series from 1978. What strikes you first? Editor: Wow, the sheer number of people! It feels so full, overflowing almost, but their faces have a beautiful calm. It’s a strong, united presence radiating from the print. Curator: Absolutely. Rogovin dedicated his work to documenting marginalized communities, focusing on the dignity and resilience of working-class families like the Morrisons. His project actively countered prevalent racist stereotypes and shed light on lived experiences frequently omitted from mainstream narratives. Editor: I see that. You can sense that immediate bond and trust. Their postures are so open, faces direct, confronting yet vulnerable at the same time. It’s so simple and raw. Makes you want to learn their names, their stories. Curator: Rogovin’s socialist and humanist convictions deeply influenced his method, aiming to empower his subjects through representation. Consider, too, the historical backdrop. 1978 – a period of deindustrialization, rising unemployment in places like Buffalo where he lived. The title grounds the photograph explicitly to these economic realities. Editor: I can’t imagine that work was easy. Steel? It has got to take a certain type of resilience. There's almost a collective burden and exhaustion in some eyes, but yeah, a lot of pride, too. Do you think the black and white enhances this sense? Curator: I think it’s intrinsic. Black and white emphasizes the tonal range of human experience: shadows and light. It also carries an unmistakable documentary gravitas. But beyond its aesthetic appeal, the format firmly locates the photo within a rich history of socially conscious photography. Editor: Thinking about them, Hubert and his family... I hope they know the power their portrait has now, that someone cared to tell their story in that specific moment of American life. It has really stuck with me. Curator: Agreed. Rogovin offered a powerful form of social commentary by enshrining the lives of ordinary people against backdrops of massive economic change. It pushes viewers like us to confront social inequality and recognize the universal dignity in every individual.