The Story Behind Three Famous Photographs
Photographs can capture intense and significant moments, etching memories into history. Here is the story behind three of the most famous photos in the world, each telling a unique and profound story. This blog about famous photographs aims to encourage you to learn more and participate in our international photo contest.
“Migrant Mother” by Dorothea Lange (1936)
Taken in 1936 by Dorothea Lange, “Migrant Mother” is one of the most poignant famous photos of the Great Depression in the United States. The photo shows Florence Owens Thompson, a mother of seven children, whose expression of fatigue and despair reflects the harsh realities of the time. Lange captured this image in a migrant workers’ camp in California, and it has become an iconic representation of the difficulties and resilience of Americans during this period.
“Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” (1932)
Taken in 1932, “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” shows eleven workers having lunch on a steel beam, suspended in the air above New York during the construction of the Rockefeller Center. This iconic photo symbolizes the bold and adventurous spirit of the workers of that era. The photographer of this image is generally attributed to Charles C. Ebbets, although this is not confirmed. The photo was first published in the New York Herald Tribune and has become a symbol of the Great Depression and the rise of skyscrapers in New York.
“V-J Day in Times Square” by Alfred Eisenstaedt (1945)
On August 14, 1945, the end of World War II was celebrated with immense joy and relief in the streets of New York. “V-J Day in Times Square” shows an American sailor passionately kissing a nurse. Taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt, this famous photograph has become one of the most iconic images of the end of the war. Although some people have contested their identities, the sailor was identified as George Mendonsa and the nurse as Greta Friedman.
These three famous photos, each with its own fascinating story, continue to captivate and inspire people worldwide. To discover more captivating stories about famous photos and participate in our international photo contest, visit our site and be inspired!
