Amherst Foundry (Working People series) 1979

This black and white photograph is part of Milton Rogovin’s series on working people. Rogovin used photography as a social tool, focusing on the lives and labor of the working class, like the man in this picture. The photo's materiality – its stark contrast and sharp detail – highlights the dignity and resilience of the sitter. Note how the textures of his clothes, the lines on his face, and the objects placed on the mantelpiece tell a silent story of daily life. Rogovin's method was collaborative, engaging with his subjects over time, a stark contrast to the exploitative practices that often define documentary photography. By portraying laborers with such empathy, Rogovin elevates the everyday, reminding us of the inherent value and complexity of each individual. It also begs us to consider what labor and social class meant for this individual. In this light, photography itself becomes a means of honoring overlooked histories and lived experiences.