Reading Reaction #4

In Chapnick's reading, Once again I realize that a good photo essay/story comes from the intimacy with the subject and photographer's efforts are key ingredients for the success. During the reading, I could tell that Eugene W. Smith, a great American photojournalist, was a photo essay frontier from that era and his 'country doctor' series are well known as the first photo essay/story of the modern photojournalism age. Country doctor was about Dr. Ernest Ceriani in the small town in Colorado. His work on Ceriani triggered new photojournalism era in the U.S. German immigrants photojournalists set the new stage for modern U.S. photojournalism in 30's and Eugene Smith took it from there. His works/styles also contributed to the success of MOMA exhibition in New York and FSA project as well. The U.S. government started to think about photography as a efficient tool for their propaganda.

Eugene Smith images were about truthfulness about the subject. His works would have not been achieved without it. I especially like his works from Okinawa in 1945. Those images are the fruits of his truthfulness and efforts from the war. His images are not as modern as Margaret Burke White's images (architectural and commercial stuff). He had many powerful 'everyday story' like Minamata story from Japan. bathtub picture from Minamata is remembered as the most compelling image by me. This was all possible he had an intimate relationship with the subject. I would like to say that the great photo essay comes from the relationship.

Bill Eppridge had a great coverage on Bobby Kennedy and it was all possible because he had an intimate relationship with the subject. He was able to cover from the election campaign to the funeral of Bobby.

It's been fewer than 100 years since George Eastman had developed brownie camera, 35mm film in his kitchen in Rochester, NY. The development of photojournalism was always somewhat related with the wars: WWI, WW2, Korean War. During WW1, most photographers used speed graphics. they continued to use medium format. During WW2 and Korean War, Japanese camera industry boomed during these two wars. Photographers needed a handy and portable camera. A life photographer Douglas Duncan mounted Nikorr lens with his leica body. And results were incredible. According to the modern history literature, Life editors did not notice the quality difference compare to speed graphics. After that, 35mm became popular among the war photographers. Leica introduced a camera 'M3D' named after his initial after it got fame for its compactness and durability proven during the wars.

New technology allowed more technical freedom to photographers. I always appreciate that. Photographers wouldn't need to worry about carrying chemicals and other equipments for developing process.

Although the recent technology brought us great benefits, the fundamental of photojournalism hasn't changed. I still believe that photographers' efforts and truthfulness are key ingredients making good photo. Technology is secondary.