The Pioneer of Photojournalism

By: Logan Senko,

for Writing about Images

Humanity in Crisis

When American photographer Margaret Bourke-White arrived in Delhi, India during March of 1946 she was no stranger to photojournalism, however, this journey would be unlike any she had previously encountered. Prior to arriving in India, Margaret worked intermittently for Life magazine and is internationally recognized for her work, such as; Fort Peck Dam which appeared on the cover of the first issue of Life, documenting the Second World War as the first female war correspondent, and as the only photographer to be present in Moscow during the German invasion of 1941. Margaret’s intent while in the middle-east was to document the rapidly evolving humanitarian crisis that was unfolding in India and Pakistan, known as the Partition of India. However, when Margaret arrived at Gandhi’s compound that night she was informed by his secretary, Pyarelal Nayyar, that she would need to learn to use the charkha before she would be permitted to meet Gandhi, and so she did.

Gandhi and India

Gandhi and the spinning wheel became a “touchstone of the campaign for independence” receiving global recognition when it was featured in a tribute published following Gandhi’s assassination in 1948. Margaret is famously known for conducting Mahatma Gandhi’s last interview just a few days before his assassination, however, the image was captured two years earlier during Margaret’s first night at Gandhi’s compound in Delhi. The image features Margaret’s signature use of chiaroscuro and photo realism, her use of strong contrast between light and darkness to emphasize Gandhi’s form in the background, separate from his spinning wheel in the foreground. Another distinguishable quality of Margaret’s work is the sense of closeness with her subject, as if the essence of the experience was captured and effectively communicated to the audience.

Front line of life

The direct and raw connection with each moment that she photographed is what attracts audiences to Margaret’s work, you feel as if you are there, even if just for a moment. As Malavika Karlekar (2011) describes in her article ON FREEDOM’S TRAIL – Margaret Bourke-White in India:

“[photographs] that make the viewer feel that she could have been one of the crowd. They are vibrant, vital, catching the odd half-smile of a spectator, the glint of his sharp eyes as Gandhi lies fasting”

(Karlekar, para 5)

The striking intensity on Gandhi’s face has always drawn me to this image, his lean physique and piercing focus is forever a part of our history because of Margaret Bourke-White and her unwavering passion to document the human experience. If you would like to discover more about Margaret, check out her book ‘Halfway to Freedom‘ (1950).

References:

Bourke-White, M. (1946). Gandhi and the spinning wheel [photograph]. Retrieved May 09, 2020, from http://100photos.time.com/photos/margaret-bourke-white-gandhi-spinning-wheel

Bourke-White, M. (1936). Fort Peck Dam [photograph]. Retrieved May 09, 2020, from http://100photos.time.com/photos/margaret-bourke-white-fort-peck-dam

Bourke-White, M. (1945). Buchenwald Concentration Camp [photograph]. Retrieved May 09, 2020, from https://g.co/arts/c96b8Binma9GbLKy8

Bourke-White, M. (1950). Halfway to Freedom. Retrieved May 09, 2020, from https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.65470/page/n1/mode/2up

(“Chiaroscuro,” n.d.) Retrieved May 09, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiaroscuro

Gunther, S. (2011). Margaret Bourke-White – Soviet Union. https://weimarart.blogspot.com/2011/02/margaret-bourke-white-soviet-union.html

Karlekar, M. (2011). On Freedom’s Trail: Margaret Bourke-White. The Telegraph India. Retrieved May 09, 2020, from https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/on-freedom-s-trail-margaret-bourke-white-in-india/cid/467411

Pramod K. N. (2019). The Trailblazing Lens of Photojournalist Margaret Bourke-White. The Wire India. Retrieved May 09, 2020, from https://thewire.in/culture/the-trailblazing-lens-of-photojournalist-margaret-bourke-white

(“Partition of India,” n.d.) Retrieved May 09, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partition_of_India