Ruth Orkin was more than an American Girl in Italy; she was a genius, a visionary and a trailblazer. At 17, Orkin rode a bicycle from LA to NYC – alone with her camera – and did for photography what Edward Hopper did for painting.

During her mid-20s, Orkin toured Europe with artist and fellow single-girl traveler, Jinx (focus of the best known photo, for more on that see http://www.today.com/id/44182286/ns/today-today_news/t/subject-american-girl-italy-photo-speaks-out/#.VRRDhvnF_rM ). As Ruth and Jinx traveled post-war Italy and France, they decided to chronicle their travels from the perspective of “single girls traveling alone” – a topic well-known to both of them. 

The famous American Girl photo is not included here; everyone has seen it many times (and it is always awesome) but my favorite photo is Treasure Tours – a squinting, 23 yr old Jinx trying to read signs, match them with her guide-book, traveling alone on a moving bus that may or may not be headed where she thinks she is going. Our most authentic selves are revealed in just such small moments, and Orkin captured it perfectly.

Although not originally from NYC, Orkin loved it without delusion or apology. She saw beauty in streets and buildings and people – always the people – and she was compelled to record it unflinchingly for the rest of us. I am particularly fond of the boys jumping off the building and into the water…what could be more dangerous or more thrilling? Orkin sees them for the daredevil vandals they are but she cannot help but celebrate their spirit.

I think we learn valuable lessons from Ruth Orkin and her career as a photographer:

• Be your own person.
• Follow your own path.
• Do not stop at the surface – there is always more to see.

If young Ruth had allowed convention to stop her from leaving home in the first place, we would never have seen any of her amazing photos. If I had not decided to look more deeply into her work, I might never have known how amazing and inspirational one woman with a camera could be – her work is compelling, and it fuels my thoughts.

I am, as always, awed by the greatness of spirit within us. Thank you, Ruth Orkin, for sharing your.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY ORKIN IMAGES. All images found on Google Images, typed in Orkin Photos.