Cagan is a political activist for social change and for the rights of workers in his personal and professional life, and for him photography functions as a powerful tool to increase awareness and inspire change. This image was made during a meeting in the welding shop. The foreman was announcing new production goals to be achieved in the same hours and days of work. The workers objected that their tools and equipment were not up to the task. Although the foreman was sympathetic, in the end the workers had to accept the new situation.
Secondary students work as part of their education.
He does a lot of support work, helping in the kitchen, supervising and maintaining the water system. Cagan is a member of the cooperative photo agency Impact Visuals , whose members are dedicated to social change, but even the socially conscious photographer risks their work being taken out of the context or misrepresented in its viewing or presentation. This is a greater problem for the subjects of the photograph who have even less control over their image. Cagan's photographs are intended as a collaboration between photographer and subject, granting them a degree of respect they are usually not afforded. In creating these images the photographer spent a considerable period of time in the workplaces and homes of his subjects before photographing them, allowing his subjects to reveal something of themselves to the camera-their apprehensions, opinions, their ability to endure and even prosper.