Carl Mydans
1907–2004 · United States
From social reportage to history in the making.
The story
Trained as a journalist, Carl Mydans combined writing with the camera early on. He documented rural life for the American federal project before joining Life at the magazine’s launch in 1936. His assignments took him to Europe and Asia, notably during the Second World War. Understanding his work requires attention to how images circulated in the press.
Understanding the work
Distinguish the photographed moment from the published sequence. Captions, neighbouring images and the photographer’s position affect how an event becomes a story.
Key works and series
The American cotton industry; war reporting; photographs for Life.
Sources & further exploration
Works in collections.
13 recordsPhotographs to explore on museum and library websites, with titles, dates and processes. Each link opens the collection record and its image where one is available.
- Library of Congress · 1936-06
Enfants de métayer près de West Memphis, Arkansas
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · Taken in March 1936
Inondation à Louisville, Kentucky
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · 1936-03
Hommes devant un magasin, Pikeville, Tennessee
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · 1936-08
Coin de rue à Manchester, New Hampshire
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · 1936-03
Habitants devant un comptoir, Cumberland Homesteads, Tennessee
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · 1936-06
Marché du quartier français, La Nouvelle-Orléans
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · 1936-05
Ouvriers agricoles sur la route, comté de Crittenden, Arkansas
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · 1936-03
Enfant d’une famille du Natchez Trace Project, Tennessee
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
