Lewis Wickes Hine (American, 1874–1940) was a pioneering American photographer whose work profoundly reshaped the common understanding of labor, dignity, and social justice. With a camera as his tool of reform, Hine combined artistry with activism, using his lens to expose injustice and elevate the overlooked. His images - often stark, humane, and tightly composed - brought visibility to children in factories, immigrants at Ellis Island, and the anonymous workers powering America's rise.
Originally trained as a sociologist, Hine turned to photography in the early 1900s as a means of documentation and advocacy. He became the chief photographer for the National Child Labor Committee, crisscrossing the U.S. to gather evidence of child exploitation in mills, mines, and city streets. His ability to capture raw conditions with grace and composure gave his work unusual persuasive power - his photos helped shape labor laws and shift public consciousness. In later years, he chronicled industrial achievement with the same sensitivity, famously photographing the construction of the Empire State Building with a heroic eye for the anonymous men behind the skyline.
A deep humanism guided Hine's practice. He believed photography could - and should - be a force for good. His use of light and geometry elevated the every day to the monumental, often framing individuals as icons of perseverance. Hine's images carry an emotional clarity that transcends time.
