Why She Learned to Spin a Wheel First

2,909 views

Margaret Bourke-White, an American photojournalist, was known for her fearless work.

When World War II broke out, she risked her life to cover the front lines. Even after surviving a torpedo attack that sank the ship she was on, she continued to photograph and report on the harsh realities of war without hesitation.

One of her most well-known photographs is of Mahatma Gandhi reading a newspaper while spinning thread on a spinning wheel. Before taking that photo, she took the time to learn how to spin thread herself.

Her reason was this:

“If you want to photograph someone spinning a wheel, you have to think about why they’re doing it. Understanding is just as important as the act of taking the picture.”