In this episode, Samantha Quatrano and Meara McVearry examine Berenice Abbott’s 1965 photograph, Lobster Car. They explore the historical and generational struggles within the Maine lobstering industry and as Mainers, Samantha and Meara bring an inside perspective to the conversation. Through this documentary photograph, they contemplate the contrast of rural and urban life captured across Abbot’s career and discuss the techniques Abbott employs and how her role and artistic intention impact the image. Abbott’s interest in realism allowed her to use photography as a tangible timestamp to document social and historical events and their impacts. Analyzing the Lobster Car photograph, they question what narrative Abbott is trying to convey.

Click here for a transcription and bibliography as well as images of the work’s discussed in today’s episode.

This podcast is part of the Crop and Click series featuring student research on documentary photography from our collection. ⁠Click here for a portfolio of all the works discussed in the series.

Hosted and produced by Samantha Quatrano and Meara McVearry. Cover art by Lucy Sherman ’23. Music “Surface Tension 3” by Podington Bear provided to YouTube by Redeye Worldwide Music.