Photo Essays, Spot News and Stock Photography

Posts tagged ‘refugees’

Jewish refugees escaping from Nazi Germany May 1939.

“VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED” – ABOARD THE MS ST. LOUIS

Today there are refugees from Ukraine. But in May 1939 over 900 Jewish refugees boarded the MS St. Louis out of Hamburg fleeing from persecution in Nazi Germany. Some countries did not accept these people including the United States and Canada. Estimates are that most of the passengers were returned to Europe and approximately 240 did not survive the war. Was this young girl a victim or a survivor?

 

“Voyage of the Damned – MS St. Louis“; on the High Seas (Atlantic Ocean); May 1939

Palestine (Israel, Feb. 1948)

THE REFUGEE SHIP

Time to play detective. If you are unable to positively identify a photo regarding time and place at least you should try to determine what it is not. That is how we have always proceeded. This photo caught our eye. Was it a troop ship or a refugee ship? Close examination of the passengers ruled out the former as these are clearly not soldiers or sailors. So, refugees. We eliminated “boat people’ from Vietnam as the passengers appear to be Caucasian. Mariel boat lift from Cuba? Ship is way too large. Albanians fleeing to Italy? Wrong kind of ship.

Could these be survivors of the Titanic aboard the Carpathia? The hull does not match that of the Carpathia. Wish that is what it was, but the final answer is also significant. These are, in fact, Jewish refugees who were survivors of the Holocaust emigrating to Palestine (Israel) in 1948. Documentation that accompanied the photo set the date as 1948. The  ship’s hull does not match the Exodus nor the Theodore Herzl. Possible match is the S.S. Patria, but we give a higher rating to the S.S. Providence which sailed from Marseilles. Again, we cannot be completely certain as to the name of this ship but its passengers and destination are beyond question.

 

“Jewish Refugee Ship“; Palestine (Israel, Feb. 1948).

Polish Refugees c.1916

HUMAN RIGHTS: POLISH REFUGEES

They could have been you. They could have been me. Refugees present a humanitarian crisis wherever and whenever to include the current situation on our southern border. Presented here are Polish refugees made homeless not once but twice in a generation. As a result of geography, Poland has experienced invasions in two world wars from both Germany and Russia. The lead photo shows Polish refugees on the road during the Great War c.1916. Perhaps some of the same people are seen below as they are once again forced to flee the Nazi invasion in September 1939

 

Polish Refugees c.1939

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U. S. - Mexico Border c.1913

MEXICO: SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Sometimes a little gift just falls into your lap. We present this recent addition to our Immigration collection: “U.S. – Mexico Border“; c.1913. Migrant workers crossing the U.S.- Mexican border have been entering the U.S. for decades to do agricultural work which is seasonal and then return to Mexico. They have been employed in southern California, Texas, Florida and here on Long Island working in the potato fields before they were converted to vineyards. Many other states have also employed these migrant workers.

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Refugees: Rebuilding After Typhoon Mary

THE POWER OF THE DIAGONAL LINE IN COMPOSITION

Diagonal lines are good. Horizontal and to a lesser extent vertical lines are bad by comparison. By this we mean that in photography, diagonal lines draw the viewer’s attention into the image creating a dynamic and tension element into an otherwise staid photograph.

This is why photos lacking diagonal lines do not move our subconscious to the same degree and are, in effect, boring by comparison. Take a look at the lead photo here: “Refugees: Rebuilding After Typhoon Mary“; Hong Kong (June 15, 1960). The toddler in the left foreground is a plus, but see how many vertical lines you can find in this photo.  In the background is Victoria Peak. See: Typhoon Mary.

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What is the "story" behind this photograph? Taken in New Jersey (1947).

DREAMERS

We have a situation. This recently acquired photograph is very quickly becoming one of our favorites. We have always made great efforts to be as accurate as possible in our caption information, and we have always encouraged our viewers to contact us if information presented is incorrect. According to our information this photograph that we call “Dreamers” (no relation to the Dream Act) was taken in New Jersey in 1947.

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Security Forces

Security Forces – Revolution in Yemen Featured

Editorial photography presents difficulties in two basic areas. The equipment. In past decades, photographs taken by paid staff photographers from the media had a distinct advantage compared with amateur equipment as the costs were beyond the reach of the average person. Improvements in digital photography regarding camera phones as well as digital cameras with wi-fi ability has made it possible for photographers to capture both still images and HD video and distribute it worldwide in real time. As a result, paid staffers are being replaced by freelancers and stringers as an increasing number of print media outlets no longer see the need to retain large payrolls. The problem of quality of the images will always separate the professional from the amateur. It is not enough to simply possess the equipment, but rather the talent behind the lens which makes one photograph superior to another.

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