Figure 1.--Figure 1.--Lewis Hine is one of the most notable photographers to use the medium to promote social reform. He was not the first photographer to exploit the medium for social causes. He was, however, one of the photograohers to use it most effectively. Hine's documentation of child workers were instrumental in effecting the labor reforms. His captions for his photographs provide a wealth of information about the working conditions, incomes, ages, sizes, and lives of the children that he photographed. Most of the images of the child workers show them wearing either knee pants or overalls. Hine worked as an investigative photographer for the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC), documenting working and living conditions of children in the United States during 1908-21. Here we see a carrying boy in a glass factory during 1908. Note this boy's rather modern-looking shirt. Photographs like this could have not been taken in the 19th century.

HBC has noted the work of these photographers whose work includes many wonderful images of children over the ages, providing an enormous amount of information about contemprary fashions as well as other interesting aspects of childhood. Most of these noted photographers had careers which primarily focused on their own countries and thus are a great source of information on individual countries or in some cases specific regions within the country. Listing them chronologically is a little complicated as some began working late in life, but it is helpful for those interested in certain time frames. The only simple way of listing them is by date of birth, but often the chronology of their careers varies because they began woking in photography late in life and of course their longevity varied. Photographic images of children expanded exponentially in the 20th century. The Kodak Browniw introduced in 1900 meant that virtually anyone could take photographs. The snap shot exponentially increase the number and variety of photographic images. There were still a number of notable photographers who have left us fascinating images of childhood. And we see a much vwider view of the social spectrum. Increases in camera and emulsions also meant that children could be photographed in real life showing not only how they looked and the clothese they wore, but the many activities in which they engaged. Whole new generes appeatred, the photo journalist, social conscious photograpy, ajnd much more.

The 19th Century

Photography in the 19th century was primarily studio photography. Cameras were very bulky and development complicated. In some cases a complicated chemical lab needed to accompany the photographer. Gradually after the momentous annoubcements of 1839, improvents were made. Even so by the 1890s emuslions were still rather slow and cameras still not suitable for the casual family photographer. Thus we are deoenjhdent on a relatively few dedicated photographers for our vuew of the 19th century. Amd almost all photographs had to be taken without any motion which of course sevely limits photographic images of children

The 20th Century

Photography in the 20th century was very different, not longer limuted to the studio. Here we are modtly interested in professional photigraphers. But with the appearance of the Kodak Brownie, anyone could take photographs. And soon easy to shoot small cameras were availavle to professional; photograophers. Meaning that cameras could be taken anywhere anbd easily carried. So we begin to get to get images of every asopct of human life, kincluding mich more ingtimte view of children thsn were possuible in the 19th century. Photographic images of children expanded exponentially in the 20th century. The Kodak Browniw introduced in 1900 meant that virtually anyone could take photographs. The snap shot exponentially increase the number and variety of photographic images. There were still a number of notable photographers who have left us fascinating images of childhood. And we see a much vwider view of the social spectrum. Increases in camera and emulsions also meant that children could be photographed in real life showing not only how they looked and the clothese they wore, but the many activities in which they engaged. Whole new generes appeatredm, the photo journalist, social conscious photograpy, and much more.

Related Chronolgy Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[The 1880s] [The 1890s]
[The 1900s] [The 1910s] [The 1920s] [The 1930s] [The 1940s] [The 1930s] [The 1940s] [The 1950s]
[The 1960s] [The 1970s] [The 1980s]

Related Style Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Long pants suits] [Knicker suits] [Short pants suits] [Socks] [Eton suits] [Jacket and trousers]
[Blazer] [School sandals] [School smocks] [Sailor suits] [Pinafores] [Long stockings]

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Created: 6:42 PM 5/11/2015
Last updated: 4:57 AM 9/11/2018