Final answer:
Jacob Riis became famous for his groundbreaking work in photojournalism, documenting the poor living conditions in New York City's tenements with his book 'How the Other Half Lives'. His photographs led to public outrage and prompted legislative changes to improve tenement housing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jacob Riis became famous for his pioneering work in photojournalism and social reform. His book, How the Other Half Lives, published in 1890, harshly exposed the dire conditions of New York City's slums through powerful images and writing. Riis's tenacity in documenting urban poverty led to significant changes in tenement laws and raised public awareness about the plight of the immigrant poor.
His method of using photography to illustrate societal issues was groundbreaking. Riis would navigate the city's tenements, setting up his equipment to take photographs that brought to light the cramped and hazardous living conditions many New Yorkers faced. These photographs not only shocked the public but also sparked new legislation aimed at improving these conditions.
Riis was not shy about employing drama and racial stereotypes to tell the stories of the various ethnic slums he explored. Despite some criticisms regarding the staging of his photographs and the portrayal of his subjects, Riis's work remains a critical window into the lives of the urban poor during the Gilded Age. His influence extended beyond his own time, as he laid the groundwork for future social reformers and journalists.