This article examines the social functions of documentary photography, focusing on the works of Dorothea Lange during the Great Depression. The Great Depression of the 1930s subjected millions of farmers and workers to unemployment, poverty, and forced migration. Under these circumstances, the U.S. government implemented a project supervised by the Farm Security Administration (FSA) to document the realities of people's lives and garner public support. Dorothea Lange, as one of the most prominent photographers of this project, was able to portray the harsh conditions of disadvantaged families and give a voice to the voiceless, bringing their struggles to the attention of the public and policymakers.
The main issue of this research is the analysis of the role of documentary photography in reflecting social issues and its impact on public awareness and social change. The primary aim of this study is to understand the social functions of documentary photography and Dorothea Lange’s role in depicting the social conditions of her time. The research questions are: 1-What social functions can be identified for documentary photography? 2- How did Dorothea Lange’s works during the Great Depression reflect social issues and influence society? 3- How can documentary photography contribute to raising awareness and creating social change?
The research method is descriptive-analytical, with a fundamental approach based on sociological theory. A case-study sampling method was used to examine Dorothea Lange’s works. Data collection was conducted through library-based research.
The results indicate that Lange’s works were not merely representations of the economic crisis; they played an active role in eliciting public empathy, increasing social awareness, and even influencing government support policies. Therefore, Dorothea Lange’s collaboration with the FSA during the Great Depression exemplifies the power of documentary photography as a tool for social and cultural change—a tool that continues to inspire and influence the world today.