Dorothea Lange Grab a hunk of lightning

Starred Review. Dorothea Lange (1895-1965) and other Farm Security Administration (FSA) photographers put a human face on the suffering and despair of America's Depression and dust bowl years. Directed by Taylor, Lange's granddaughter, this PBS American Masters episode describes a determined woman who knew she had to be a photographer even before she ever picked up a camera. Born in New Jersey, plagued by childhood polio, and the product of a broken home, Lange moved west to San Francisco, opening a successful portrait studio at a young age. There she met and married landscape artist Maynard Dixon, 20 years her senior, always struggling to balance work and family demands. Depression-era breadlines and strikes drew her to the street and to an acquaintance with labor economist Paul Taylor, whom she would later marry. The two traveled together, documenting small farmers who had been "tractored out" by the mechanization of farm work. The documentary describes her ability to "grab a hunk of lightning," most notably with her famous "migrant mother" portraits taken in a labor camp. VERDICT In addition to Lange's well-known work during the Depression, the documentary covers her environmental concerns and her ultimately hopeful, inclusive, and larger view of American society. This informative, even-handed documentary is highly recommended for general audiences.-Stephen Rees, formerly with Levittown Lib., PA (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 9 Up-Dyanna Taylor, filmmaker and granddaughter of Lange, shares glimpses into the life of one of America's most talented photographers. This high quality documentary is laden with personal interviews of family, friends, and experts, as well as an extensive portfolio of Lange's work, including her most iconic photo, Migrant Mother. As a young woman, Lange was a brave spirit who headed west to San Francisco in search of adventure. Unfortunately, she was robbed shortly after arriving and forced to find a job to survive. Lange began developing film and ultimately started her own portrait studio, which became wildly successful by the early 1920s. Soon thereafter she met and married painter Maynard Dixon, who challenged Lange to move beyond studio work and explore the open skies of the Southwest. Ultimately motherhood and marriage did not sustain Lange, who left Dixon and their children in pursuit of her career. Lange teamed up with journalist and social documentary photographer Paul Taylor, who became her second and greatest love of her life. Together, they introduced "America to Americans" through their provocative photographs and written reports. This examination provides an intimate look at Lange's personal and professional life, and personifies her quotation that "beauty appears when one feels deeply. Art is an act of total attention."-April -Everett, Rowan Public Library, Salisbury, NC (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.