Social documentary photographer Milton Rogovin, now 100 years old, has been likened to the great social documentary photographers of the 19th and 20th Centuries, Lewis Hine and Jacob Riis. His photographs are in the Library of Congress, the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Center for Creative Photography and other distinguished institutions around the world. His work speaks of the humanity of working people, the poor and the forgotten ones.
Help Bring Milton's Films to PBS!
The award winning documentary film, "The Rich have Their Own Photographers," had its debut at the Lincoln Center with Pete Seeger as MC. On Dec 27th 2009 the film was aired for the first time on television on WNED Buffalo/Toronto. This powerful documentary should be shown across the nation! Please join the campaign to vbring Milton's film to your PBS station.
In 1957, Milton Rogovin was declared "The Top Red in Buffalo" by The Buffalo News and his life was turned upside-down. Effectively, his political voice was silenced as society shunned him and his friends disappeared. In reality, he was an optometrist promoting workers' rights in the local unions and helping to register Black voters. Refusing to be silenced, he found a new political voice – a camera.
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100 Birthday Wishes
In 1967 Milton was invited to collaborate with the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Milton photographed on the island of Chiloe for one month. In 2008 Ellen and Mark Rogovin went to Chile and met some of those families.
The film clip here is an update with people greeting Milton on his 100th birthday. View the film clip of Milton's birthday greeting from Chile »
Also in celebration of Milton's life, work and his 100th birthday, filmmaker Franco E. Ardito created this montage and video of the gala celebration held December 2009 in Buffalo, NY.
"What makes Milton's photos a lasting social document is not only the artistically superior composition, the ease of person posing, and the masterful printing. He photographed his subjects at work and also at home thereby giving the working person a connection to home life - most of the difficult work was performed not for the love of the job, but for the wage it brought to better the home life.
It is important for the Buffalo community to recognize our own living national/global treasure and to continue to celebrate him and his work. Only through recognition will (future) generations be inspired, perhaps to continue his work giving a voice to those without one."
View the film of Milton's party on ArtVoiceTV.com»