• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Jamie Dimon runs JPMorgan’s 300,000 employees—but says it beats rivals by fighting in Navy SEAL-sized teams

2

After a decade of failed bills and three years of resignations, Washington finally discovers it cares about AI safety

3

Former CIA official found with $40 million in gold bars for 'work-related expenses' reaches tentative plea deal 

1

Jamie Dimon runs JPMorgan’s 300,000 employees—but says it beats rivals by fighting in Navy SEAL-sized teams

2

After a decade of failed bills and three years of resignations, Washington finally discovers it cares about AI safety

3

Former CIA official found with $40 million in gold bars for 'work-related expenses' reaches tentative plea deal 
Magazine

See powerful pictures Of life in mid 20th century America

Michal Lev-Ram
By
Michal Lev-Ram
Michal Lev-Ram
Special Correspondent
Down Arrow Button Icon
Michal Lev-Ram
By
Michal Lev-Ram
Michal Lev-Ram
Special Correspondent
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 3, 2017, 10:26 AM ET
WE224
WE224Private collection, San Francisco; © Walker Evans Archive, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

It’s not every day that we at Fortune get to cover ourselves. Today, we are making an exception.

Recommended Video

Here’s why: Fortune, launched nearly 90 years ago, has long been noted for its photography. One of the most well-known and influential contributors to that reputation is Walker Evans, a Missouri-born photojournalist who started doing work for the magazine in the 1930s and eventually served as our photo editor, a tenure that lasted 20 years. Starting this week (and through February 4, 2018), a collection of Evans’ works will be on exhibit at San Francisco’s Museum of Modern Art.

The museum gave a press preview of the collection last week, which included several Fortune covers and photo essays. Evans, born in 1903, is best known for documenting the effects of the Great Depression. His documentary style of photography not only captured the suffering and strength of the nation through portraits, but also via everyday details like junked automobiles and urban architecture. Unlike most other photojournalists at that time, he also wrote and laid out his photo essays himself, taking ownership of his photo essays from start to finish.

One such package, on display at the museum, is titled “People and Places in Trouble.” The story, published in our March 1961 issue, shows a range of distressed subjects throughout the Eastern region of our country. But Evans’s writing is just as harrowing as his photos: “They speak with their eyes. People out of work are not given to talking much about the one thing on their minds. You only sense, by indirection, degrees of anger, shades of humiliation, and echoes of fear.”

In many ways, Evans’ documentation and commentary on life in mid 20th century America is just as relevant today as it was back in his day. For a deeper view into Evans and his works, click through the gallery above.

Exclusive: In a new sit-down interview with Fortune, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman explains safety standards are "not at a place" to push AI capabilities much further and warns AI beyond human control is "absolutely" possible. Watch or listen here.
About the Author
Michal Lev-Ram
By Michal Lev-RamSpecial Correspondent
Twitter icon

Michal Lev-Ram is a special correspondent covering the technology and entertainment sectors for Fortune, writing analysis and longform reporting.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Google source logo
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest from the Magazine


Most Popular

Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

    Latest from the Magazine


    Most Popular

    © 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
    FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.