Mary Coin
“Migrant Mother”

“Migrant Mother” – by Dorothea Lange

Some people consider this the most famous photograph of the entire 20th Century.  An iconic image of Florence Owens Thompson taken by photographer Dorothea Lange during the Great Depression.  The photograph is widely known as “Migrant Mother.”  Amazing image.
The reason I am posting it is because I just finished reading a fantastic historical fiction novel about the photograph and the people involved titled, “Mary Coin.”  Skillfully written New York Times Bestseller by Marisa Silver.I highly recommend this book for many reasons.  But it is noteworthy here for its relevance to photography.  Throughout the book, there are many references to the metaphysical aspects of photos and the process.  For example, how an image of a person that took a fraction of a second could have a life of its own that lasts forever.  Think of it:  1936, California.  Dorothea Lange saw this woman and her family from the roadside.  She pulled over and took a few frames on her Graphlex large format camera and left.  The image had an amazing immediate impact on the migrant farmers in the area, the country’s (literal) view and perspective of the Great Depression, etc., not to mention the long term effect on Dorothea Lange’s professional and personal life along with the reaction of Florence Thompson and her family when they finally saw the photo for the first time many years later.
The story of these peoples’ lives is chilling and enlightening at the same time.  And the fictional account in the book, taking appropriate creative liberties, also portrays the parallel personal turmoil shared by these two women despite the fact they came from different backgrounds.  The book also goes a long way into explaining the (soul) searching that most of us experience in our lives…and unexpected discoveries in that search.

One of the noteworthy things I want to bring up, relative to photography, is about the process of seeing and making a photo image.  Many people think one can just “see something” and photograph it…and that a lot relies on luck.  That may be true for some, but not for an artist like Lange.  Yes, she saw the scene from the road and circled back, but she spent some time approaching, interacting, and “directing” her subjects.  There were 5 “outtakes” that preceded this final image.  Take a look:

“Other frames” of Migrant Mother

Pretty cool, eh?  Keep in mind that Mrs. Thompson was only 32, widowed,  and already had 7 children.  And then notice how the scene and impact changes as Lange approached her, interacting and giving instructions/suggestions to the children.  Notice the look on Thompson’s face and how it evolved over the course of the several minutes it took to get to the final image.

I think it’s a fascinating story and an EXCELLENT book, worth a read for many reasons.  Kudos to Marisa Silver for a job well done and a story worth telling.  Check it out!

“Mary Coin” by Marisa Silver

-Stephen M. Levin
“Life Scapes”
www.stephenmlevinphotos.com