Roy Stryker

Definition

Roy Stryker was an influential American photographer and educator, best known for his role as the head of the Farm Security Administration (FSA) photography project during the Great Depression. His leadership and vision helped shape the documentary photography movement, emphasizing the importance of visual storytelling to communicate the struggles and resilience of rural Americans during a time of economic hardship. Stryker's work not only documented social realities but also aimed to use photography as a tool for social change and policy advocacy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Roy Stryker joined the FSA in 1935 and managed a team of photographers that included well-known figures like Dorothea Lange, Walker Evans, and Russell Lee.
2. Under Stryker's direction, the FSA photographers created powerful images that humanized the struggles of farmers and rural communities during the Great Depression.
3. Stryker was known for his belief in the potential of photography to serve as a means of social change, advocating for government intervention in rural economic issues through visual evidence.
4. He emphasized the importance of editing and selecting images to convey specific narratives, influencing how documentary photography would be approached in subsequent years.
5. Stryker later contributed to photo-education by teaching at institutions like Columbia University and the New School for Social Research, shaping future generations of photographers.

Review Questions

• How did Roy Stryker's approach to photography influence the representation of rural poverty during the Great Depression?
  • Roy Stryker's approach focused on creating powerful narratives through visual storytelling that highlighted the struggles faced by rural Americans. By leading a team of talented photographers under the FSA, he aimed to document not just the poverty but also the resilience and dignity of these communities. This emphasis on authentic representation helped raise awareness about rural issues and advocated for government support during a critical time in American history.
• Discuss how Roy Stryker's work with the FSA shaped future practices in documentary photography.
  • Stryker's leadership at the FSA established key principles for documentary photography, including the importance of narrative structure and purposeful image selection. His emphasis on editing photos to convey specific messages set a precedent for how photographers could influence public perception and policy through their work. This approach laid the groundwork for modern documentary practices, highlighting photography as a means to address social issues effectively.
• Evaluate Roy Stryker's legacy in terms of his impact on both photography and social advocacy.
  • Roy Stryker's legacy is significant in both photography and social advocacy due to his pioneering work in documenting American life during the Great Depression. He transformed documentary photography into a tool for social change by demonstrating how visual narratives could influence public opinion and policy. His educational efforts further ensured that future generations of photographers understood the power of their medium to affect societal change, solidifying his role as a critical figure in American visual culture.

Related terms

Farm Security Administration: A New Deal agency created in 1937 that aimed to combat rural poverty during the Great Depression through various programs, including a significant photography project.

Documentary Photography: A genre of photography that captures real-life events and social issues, often with the intention of provoking awareness and inspiring change.

Photojournalism: The practice of using photography to tell news stories, often emphasizing the importance of visual representation in journalism.