Milton Rogovin: In Buffalo

This exhibition features photographs by the late-20th century social documentary photographer Milton Rogovin who depicted the lives of everyday people in Buffalo, New York. Taken between 1973 and 1992, these powerful images record Rogovin’s neighbors—many from his Lower West Side series near his home in Buffalo. He approached his subjects with humbleness and profound respect, capturing their strength, resilience, and joy.

Rogovin was trained as an optometrist, but his political activism spurred an interest in photography, believing that social reform came from empowerment, visibility, and awareness. Encouraged by his activist wife Ann, and inspired by photographer Minor White, civil rights leader W.E.B. DuBois, and others, Rogovin learned both the art of photography and the art of social connection, essential tools in his creative work.