Times of hardship are polarizing. I think its important to take a step back and reflect. I didnt live through something like the great depression, but I’m currently facing the hardship of a worldwide epidemic. As a Photographer its painfully enlightening to know that someone as talented as Russell Lee, went to places like the Midwest, and found his resting place here, where I currently am in Austin, Texas.

I found it Ironic, but also found a lot of inspiration in this man. I want to share a few of his photographs that are distributed on the Library of Congress as he worked in the FSA. He has a lot of work with people enduring the great depression. Honing their crafts in Tailoring, Farming, and capturing the emotion so well.

A little about Russell Lee

He studied to be a chemist in Bethlehem Pennsylvania. He actually gave up being a chemist to become a painter. And used Photos to preface his work. He was fascinated with capturing his community around him like the Pennsylvanian Bootleg mining group and the Father Divine Cult. In 1936 he joined up with a team under Roy Stryker, with the Iconic Dorothea Lange, Arthur Rothstein and Walker Evans.

Lee ended up seeing some of the hardest shit one could stomach. At one point in 1942, he witnessed the eviction of 600 Japanese Americans from the West Coast waiting to be removed and in their later lives in detention facilities. Its heartbreaking.

The FSA was defunded and crumbled in 1943 and Russell Lee eventually found work with the ATC ( Air Transport Command ) for the Armed Forces in WWII. Eventually he landed in Austin, Texas. And became the first instructor of Photography for the University of Texas.

So here I am

I know I had no chance of meeting him. And I’m late by 35 years. Russell Lee died in 1986, I was born in 1988. And I would’ve loved to study or just meet the man. As photographers and purveyors of art, I constantly as the question what emotion and connection does my work portray. Some say its poetic. Dramatic. Black and White does things to a soul. But as one that understands the inner workings, the work of Russell, to me is absolutely awe inspiring.

Russell Lee used a type of 35mm camera that was often unnoticed by subjects. Allowing him to focus on a lot more than a face. I tend to place the emotional weight of a time and subject rather than just a portrait or object. To take in more than a photograph. To take in feelings past the print. He does it seamlessly. So now that I’m residing where he taught, and died. I thought I’d admire someone who brought his iconic depth of photography to Home.

So there they were.

Theres a certain softness to Russells Photographs. Genuine moments. 8th Avenue in New York City. The fashion, the cars. Clear sign of traffic. Evidence of a always busy city. The greys and contrast here are incredible. I also love the mans stark but downtrodden expression in Black with the Hat. He stands out doesn’t he?

This goes is a Chief Cutter. I love the lighting, and just how focused he is. His name was Louis Geshen. Back when tailoring and making fabrics was so heavily relied on as a community. Well dressed and dedicated to his craft its clear to see the effort in his work. Imagine the arthritis and back pain Louis had.

I would 1,000 percent buy a tie from these men. Extremely well dressed, and If only ties still cost 35¢ today. Also the fact that times were all about the hustle in NYC. This has been a statement that has never changed about New York City. Everyone has something to sell. There is always someone to pay there. Its a beautiful and soft reminder of how fashion and dressing well was a focus, and still is today. This was taken near 7th Ave intersecting 38th street.

A trio of young men posted up outside this factory. The man through the gated window or door. The man on the left is the only one making eye contact with Lee, and the other two are engaged in conversation. I wonder if the fellow on the right is crying of laughter, or just wiping is eye. The mood seems to be rather light. But again, Lee with his remarkable work of contrast and subtle timing.

Into the Midwest, Farming to Thrive

Kids reading the paper. They clearly are into the comics. Needing some sort of entertainment. I absolutely love the context of this scene. What a sweet and subtle break from the hardship of Illinois farming during the Great Depression. Imagine having no internet, TV, and no social networks to find comic relief. All you had was a comic that may have tickled your funny bone. Then back to work. I think they only came in the Sunday papers too right? The composition and lighting is stunning.

So the story behind this is; Andrew Ostermeyer one of the original homesteaders Lee had met during his work in the midwest. He lost his farm to a loan company at 81 years old. He still worked and lived on his sons farm. Its all they know. They devoted entire lives to it. And its becoming apparent that so many americans aren’t able to uphold that skillset. Here in Texas you constantly see people being pushed out of Homesteading. They can’t keep it in the family, or they cant afford it. So its either outsourced or abandoned entirely.

This is probably my favorite. They are filling up sandbags to stop the Missouri Flood at Birds Point Levee. The lighting here is just impeccable. I think since Lee had such an eye for lighting and had this like painters eye, some of his photos ended up like this. While still clearly documenting the current happenings in the community but making such a work of art at the same time. Again, less focus on the faces. None are the clear subject. Its the entire motion and effort of teamwork. The statement this leaves of filling a bag of sand and dropping it on another mans shoulders. Back, and forth. Back and forth. Until a wall was formed.

The child of a man in Wisconsin playing in the dirt. You can tell hes bummed out. Likely bored. But hanging tough. Taken near Black River Falls in Wisconsin. He had a sweetness when it came to families and kids. Again, not showing the entire face but capturing a range of emotion. Lee had such a way with timing. He has over 1,000 photos in the Library of Congress. And so many of them hit like this.

A portrait of a young girl smiling in Gemmel, Minnesota. The soft lighting utilized and captured so well.
People felt Russells energy, and let their souls shine during extreme hardship. Where there was struggle there was light and laughter. I love that he clearly still looked for that. As photographers yes, were documenting. But were looking for so much more than a Photo.

A picture of a resting farmer in Crowley, Louisiana. The cast of silver and greys in the image are superb. The reflection of the sun on his wrist and glasses. The contrast is so so good. His way of capturing peoples state of being is admirable.

This is Russell Lee.