Hartford Newsboys 1909

This photograph, *Hartford Newsboys*, was taken by Lewis Hine, and, wow, it's a world of faces and paper. I can't help but think about what Hine must have been feeling. It's got that directness, that "this is what it is" quality. You know, I can imagine Hine, camera in hand, trying to capture not just their faces but, like, their whole situation. It's not just a portrait; it's a document, a record. The gray tones are working so hard to show the mood. And, look at the stacks of newspapers they’re holding. They're so white and neat against the boys' clothes. It’s a serious moment, but they’re kids, you know? Making their way the best way they know how. These aren't just boys on a street corner; they're part of something bigger, and Hine captured that.