What was The Photo League's credo?
The camera was more than a means of recording reality; it was a device with the potential to change the world.
What organization did The Photo League separate from?
The Film and Photo League
What was the workshop?
The Photo League’s school, offering photography classes to anyone with a camera and $5 tuition. Director Sid Grossman insisted the goal of the photographer was to achieve an emotional connection with the subjects.
Who taught "the workshop?"
Sid Grossman
If you were to devote one year of your life to one project, what project is worth your time and energy?
I would devote one year of my life to taking photographs of all kinds of animals.
What was The Harlem Document?
The Harlem Document is a portfolio of photographs that reveals Harlem’s poor living conditions and neighborhood in the 1930’s.
Who started The Harlem Document?
Aaron Siskind started The Harlem Document.
A photographer discusses a photograph where "the children looked like they came out of a __________ painting. Who was the painter?
Caravaggio
Why did the photograph mentioned in #8 look like it was by the painter?
The kids all looked very sweet and innocent, but specifically the one sitting on the right had a perfect ray of light hitting his face, illuminating him.
Who was Lewis Hine? (name two significant contributions)
He photographed child labor which showed children as young as eight working long hours under dangerous conditions. Later in World War 1, Hine served as a photographer with Red Cross. He was also hired to record the construction of the Empire State Building.
Who was Weegee?
Weegee was a photojournalist who took images of the aftermath of New York street crimes and disasters.
How did The League change when The Nazis took power?
They became focused on supporting the war effort. They showed patriotism in America and gruesome descriptions of the war.
How did The League change during WWII?
Photo League members enlisted with armed forces and took part in battles on every theatre of WWII.
How did Siskind change after WWII?
Siskind turned away from the social and political world after WWII.
What was the Saturday Evening post?
The Saturday Evening Post was a photojournalism magazine similar to LIFE.
Who was Barbara Morgan? What did she photograph?
Barbara Morgan was an American photographer best known for her depictions of modern dancers.
What eventually undermined the Photo League?
The Photo League was put on a list of possible totalitarian, communist, or fascist organizations, created by Tom Clark.
What was the "Growing Menace" mentioned in the film?
Communism
Who agreed to serve as President when The League was under investigation?
W. Eugene Smith
What happened to the league?
FBI agent Angela Calomiris testified that Sid Grossman had recruited her from the Photo League into the Communist Party. Although the League was never officially on trial, people became scared and didn’t come anymore. Due to the loss of members, the Photo League closed down in the summer of 1951.
