Lewis Hine (1874–1940) is regarded as a pioneer of photography because he was one of the first to use the camera deliberately as a tool for social change, not just as a means of artistic expression or documentation. His work in the early 20th century helped establish the idea that photography could influence laws, shape public opinion, and fight injustice.

Here’s why he stands out:
1. Social Reform Photography
• Hine used his camera to expose harsh realities—especially child labour in American factories, mills, and mines.
• Working for the National Child Labor Committee (1908–1924), his photographs provided visual evidence that helped push through U.S. child labour laws.
2. Humanising the Subjects
• He portrayed workers and immigrants with dignity and individuality, countering stereotypes. His famous Ellis Island portraits (1904–1909) showed hopeful, resilient newcomers rather than nameless “masses.”
3. Innovative Use of Composition and Perspective
• In his “Men at Work” series (including the Empire State Building construction in 1930–31), Hine experimented with dramatic angles, close-ups, and scale to celebrate labour and human skill.
4. Ethical Approach to Documentary Work
• At a time when some photographers staged scenes or used sensationalism, Hine often sought consent, contextualised his subjects, and recorded detailed notes to accompany his images.
5. Laying the Groundwork for Photojournalism
• Hine bridged the gap between the earlier reformist photography of Jacob Riis and the later socially conscious documentary work of the 1930s, like the Farm Security Administration photographers.

In short, Hine pioneered the idea that photography wasn’t just about recording life—it could be a moral force, a catalyst for change.

Lewis Hine’s influence runs like a thread through much of 20th-century documentary and street photography, and you can see it in both technique and purpose.

Here’s how his approach shaped later generations:

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1. Documentary Photographers

Direct lineage to the Farm Security Administration (FSA) era
• Hine’s careful pairing of visual impact with strong captions inspired photographers like Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans in the 1930s.
• His ability to humanise hardship—rather than simply showing poverty—set a template for FSA projects during the Great Depression. Lange’s Migrant Mother is often cited as an emotional descendant of Hine’s child labour portraits.

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2. Street Photography

Influence on candid, human-centred imagery
• While Hine didn’t shoot “street” work in the modern sense, his Ellis Island portraits and factory images involved approaching strangers, working quickly, and telling a story through environment and body language—skills core to street photography.
• Photographers like Helen Levitt and later Bruce Davidson took that humanistic, on-the-ground approach into more spontaneous public spaces.

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3. Photojournalism

Merging evidence with narrative
• Hine treated his photographs as visual documents—often supplying dates, locations, and facts—paving the way for Life magazine photo essays and the Magnum agency’s ethos.
• W. Eugene Smith, for example, shared Hine’s belief that photo stories could change minds, whether on working conditions or health issues.

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4. Ethical Standards

Consent and dignity
• Hine’s respectful portrayals—no mocking, no exploitation—anticipated later debates in documentary ethics.
• Modern practitioners like Sebastião Salgado echo his belief that photography should serve humanity, not exploit it.

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If you compare Hine’s work to later influential projects—say, Gordon Parks’ civil rights photography—you’ll see that they share Hine’s blend of activism, empathy, and strong composition, just adapted to different eras and causes.