Photography Analysis: Iconic Images That Captured the Human Spirit
 
Social History | Artful Composition | Inspiring Discussion
 
This Photography Analysis Set explores six unforgettable photographs that celebrate resilience, innovation, and the human condition. From monumental moments like V-J Day to everyday working-class life and surrealist creativity, these images offer students a chance to explore history through the lens of masterful photojournalism and artful storytelling.
 
Ideal for middle and high school classrooms, this set promotes visual literacy, historical understanding, and critical thinking through guided analysis of iconic photos.
 
Each photograph includes:
✅ Enlarged image (perfect for print or digital display)
✅ Engaging background information on the image, subject, and photographer
✅ Key themes (freedom, labor, creativity, joy, perseverance)
✅ 12 student questions per photo, divided into:
Observation
Interpretation & Meaning
Deeper Thinking
Photos included:
Margaret Bourke-White – Gandhi and the Spinning Wheel (1946)
Lewis Hine – Cotton Mill Girl (1908)
Philippe Halsman – Dalí Atomicus (1948)
W. Eugene Smith – Country Doctor (1948)
Alfred Eisenstaedt – V-J Day in Times Square (1945)
Lunch Atop a Skyscraper – Charles C. Ebbets (1932)
Why Teachers Love It:
This collection sparks thoughtful discussion about identity, innovation, and the power of storytelling through photography. Whether used in history, art, ELA, or photography classes, these images encourage students to reflect on how ordinary people and world events intersect through a camera lens.