Final answer:
Jacob Riis's book 'How the Other Half Lives' used photography to expose the condition of New York's urban poor, shocking Americans and leading to tenement reform.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jacob Riis's groundbreaking work, How the Other Half Lives, utilized the powerful medium of photography to shock the American public. By exposing the stark realities of life in the tenements of New York City, Riis provided a visual testament to the conditions of the urban poor at the end of the nineteenth century. His use of staged photographs—necessary due to the limitations of the era's technology—not only conveyed the challenges faced by the residents but also sparked a conversation about the dignity and resilience of these communities.
Despite certain criticisms about the authenticity of the imagery and the invasive nature of Riis's methods, the photos served as a catalyst for social reform. Complementing his vivid descriptions, these images were pivotal in arousing sentiment among the middle and upper classes, which eventually led to legislative changes aimed at improving the living standards within tenements. Riis's work is a seminal example of the impact of photojournalism in propelling societal change.