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 work speaks of the humanity of working people, the poor and the forgotten ones.
Milton's photographs are a part of the documentary photography collections of the Library of Congress, the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Center for Creative Photography and other distinguished institutions around the world.
The Rich Have Their Own Photographers - Finally Available!
The award winning documentary film, "The Rich have Their Own Photographers," had its debut at the Lincoln Center with Pete Seeger as MC and is now finally available for purchase in the Rogovin Store »
In 1957, Milton Rogovin was declared “The Top Communist in Buffalo”. In reality, he was an optometrist actively registering Black voters. Refusing to be silenced, he found a new political voice - a camera. He began documenting Buffalo’s poorest and working classes, and eventually, the world’s. Collaborating with Pablo Neruda and others at the forefront of justice movements, documenting those he considers, “the Forgotten Ones”. Through his photographs, Rogovin depicts the extreme inequalities that exist and conveys that message through beautiful works of art. For Rogovin, his prints are his protests; his only concern is the fight for social justice.
DVD, 60 min., Ezra Bookstein filmmaker, Telling Image Films
On December 27th, 2009, this 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 bring Milton's film to your PBS station.
Click here to take action and to support this grass roots effort!
Milton Rogovin Awarded for Lifetime Contributions to Social Justice
The Center for Study of Working Class Life honored Milton Rogovin with its Award for Lifetime Contributions to Social Justice for Working People.
Milton Rogovin, In the News
Click to download.
The People V. the Optometrist, by Arthur Bleich, Rangefinder Magazine for Professional Photographers, January 2010
The NY Times Lens Blog features Milton with numerous photographs from his various series, upcoming celebrations, new publications, the new Picture Man: The Poetry of Photographer Milton Rogovin film, his website and more. Published August 9, 2009.
Read more about Milton's current exhibitions and awards »
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 »