The early practitioners of photography in the late 19th century and first decades of the 20th century shaped the evolving language of the medium by expanding the limits of the photographic vision. Many of these pioneers were immigrants - people displaced by choice or, quite often, by necessity. These photographers became observers and interpreters of their new surroundings through the filters of their different cultures, languages and religions. Photography in the 20th century (particularly the Modernist vision) is deeply indebted to them.