One of the greatest documentary photographers was Dorothea Lange who is best known for her photographs of migrant workers during the Great Depression. She began her career shooting portraits in San Fransisco but soon turned her lens elsewhere and focused her art on trying to benefit those in less fortunate situations. In addition to her photography of displaced families during the Depression she also documented the experiences of Japanese Americans and their internment during World War II. Her images depict a very specific moment in time but their haunting quality is still felt today. One of things I admire most of her work (aside from the philanthropic nature) is their candid quality--her ability to make her subjects feel relaxed enough in front of the lens to just be themselves. Although she captured unstaged moments her skill still shines in the composition of each image. Looking through her work is a fascinating glimpse into American history and a welcome reminder of the power of photography--the government responded to the publication of some of her photographs in 1936 by rushing aid to a work camp. Photography, art, creative expressions have the power to make a change in the world...
Another bonus weekend outfit for you--something I wore when visiting my parents (they always compliment this dress as if it is the first time they've seen it). Their neighborhood is a lovely riot of spring color--more interesting is that despite the highly manicured lawns and close proximity to busy roads their neighborhood is home to a fox and wild turkeys. I actually saw the fox dart across the street shortly after taking these pictures and I'm accepting word of the wild turkeys without proof since I'm not the one who goes on early morning jogs around the area....
It is Friday and I'm glad it's Friday because my mind has hit that point where everything sounds like static on the radio and trying to listen more closely just brings on a headache when all you want is to make sense of the noise although soon enough everything will be drowned out by the hum of cicadas...
We've had a string of rainy days back to back, but I can't complain when it turns everything so rich and green. I wasn't living here last spring, so it's rather fun to see my "usual haunts" transformed by new growth. It's so lush and colorful. Even the city streets seem transformed--cars turning polka-dotted with pink petals in their parking spots or leaving wakes of petals in their passage down my block. Flowers do have such a transformative quality; rather like snow they can make even dull alleyways, common streets, or familiar fields seem magical...
Endlessly enamored with these hand painted lockets by 
