Esther Bubley
1921–1998 · United States
Ordinary lives in the foreground.
The story
Esther Bubley arrived in Washington during the Second World War and first worked in a photographic laboratory. She made images of daily life that attracted Roy Stryker’s attention, then worked for the Office of War Information. Transport, waiting places, housing and relationships between people form her observation of the American home front. The closeness of these situations matters as much as official news.
Understanding the work
Look for attitudes of waiting, fatigue or conversation. Small differences between people and their surroundings build the narrative strength of these images.
Key works and series
Washington during the war; Dissin’s Boarding House; bus journeys.
Sources & further exploration
Works in collections.
14 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 · 1943-06
Jeunes femmes recevant leurs invités dans une salle de cartes
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · 1943-09
Mécanicien du Tennessee Coach Company, Knoxville
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · 1943-06
Lecture des bandes dessinées à Idaho Hall, Arlington Farms
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · March 1943
Un marin photographie son amie devant le Capitole
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · October 1943
Walter Spangenberg inspectant un avion à l’aéroport Stevens
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · June 1943
Kathleen McCarthy, opératrice de téléimprimeur Western Union
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · Date non précisée
Enseignement d’une expérience de chimie
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · September 1943
Mécanicien travaillant sur une garniture de frein, Knoxville
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
