Comments on: His camera became a political voice for the forgotten ones.

His camera became a political voice for the forgotten ones.

zarq — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:27:24 -0800

"All my life I've focused on the poor. The rich ones have their own photographers."
Social documentary photographer Milton Rogovin's 'life was about seeing. In the literal sense, he was an optometrist. In a more figurative sense, through the lens of his camera, he saw things and people that were often ignored — the poor, the oppressed, the "forgotten ones," as he called them.' "A librarian in Buffalo's Communist Party, he was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1957, and was named "Buffalo's Top Red" in the Buffalo Evening News. Losing business and facing intense social persecution, Rogovin turned to photography in order to create images that conveyed his desire for a more equal and just society, and to give voice to others who were persecuted, who were invisible to most." Mr. Rogovin died on January 18th at his home in Buffalo at the age of 101. Previously on Metafilter

If you're in Chicago and would like to see his work, the Gage Gallery opened an exhibition of photos yesterday, which will run until June 30th. Many of his prints and negatives have been acquired by the Library of Congress and the J. Paul Getty Museum. Galleries: * New York Times: Showcase * Reckon * ArtNet * MSNBC ...and here's a photo of him with his family, from the Buffalo News. Amateur and Professional photographers are paying tribute to him on Flickr. Interview: Milton Rogovin and Robert Hirsch.

By: smoke

smoke — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:55:23 -0800

By: smoke

smoke — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:57:54 -0800

Also, this is how you do an obituary for people you respect. Wonderful tribute, Zarq.

By: emjaybee

emjaybee — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:58:53 -0800

Thanks, zarq; I was not familiar with this photographer, these pictures are stunning and full of what I can only call love for his subjects.

By: Kinbote

Kinbote — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:14:32 -0800

May his vision be a blessing.

By: ryanshepard

ryanshepard — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:27:25 -0800

By: nickyskye

nickyskye — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:17:26 -0800

By: Phlogiston

Phlogiston — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:18:08 -0800

Thanks, Zarq. The man was a treasure.

By: stet

stet — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 21:35:32 -0800

Milton Rogovin introduced my parents to each other. My brothers, parents, and I visited him and his wife, Anne, in their home back when it was self-evident that a photographer's home would smell like a darkroom. They were kind and wonderful people that, in that afternoon, made a tremendous impression as deeply caring about their community and the less fortunate. .

By: phogirl

phogirl — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 04:12:41 -0800

thanks for the post. I enjoyed reading about him and looking at the photos. .