I went to school at Dutchess Community College in upstate NY and Eugene Smith's family donated some of his photos to the college( because if his first wife's connection with the college) for permanent exhibit. One day I was just walking out of one of the administrative offices and noticed the photos on the walls of the hallway. For a few minutes I forgot where I was and was transfixed by those stunning, epic and mind piercing images....I will never forget that...
Been waiting for this one, Ted. And you did not disappoint. Just brilliant. One detail to add: Smith was physically assaulted and severely injured by hooligans hired by Chisso while in Minamata. Some accounts suggest that he never really recovered from this, and that it was a major factor in the overall decline of his health subsequently. Anyway, looking forward to the next video!
And that's why I beleive it was the last photo essay by Smith. The assault left his brain permanently damaged which slowly killed him. I can't possible stomach the whole thing.
W. Eugene Smith is one of my 10 favorite's photographers of all time. I admire how you managed to put so much of his life's story in that short video. I like your portrayal of him when you talk about the "Mozart's Effect". He was definitely productive and all of his work is great. I understand why he had such a hard time trying to select images from his own projects. He couldn't curate his own work because they were such much photographs to choose from and all of them were winners. He was quite a stubborn man and uncompromising. He may be as close as a writer who writes with his own blood. He gave it all (and lost a lot in return). A real passionate. This is one video that I will certainly view again (many times).
I have been an avid photographer for five years now, devouring everything on technique and editing but never bothering to study the masters of the art. I realize it is time to change that. Your Artist Series has opened up my mind entirely in the last few days. Thank you very much for your insight. I am grateful.
Can't help thinking of Caravaggio when I look at Smith's photographs and their magical way of showing us how "light "can unveil the essence a the story. Smith, a "modern " Caravaggio:)
This i exactly why I believe you have the best photography channel. The range you cover is fantastic; technicals, the odd gear bits, book reviews and these wonderful "photolits"... wonderful stuff Ted, keep up the great work. Been really enjoying the vids alot this year.
Thanks Ted, this is the sort of shows that made me subscribe to you in the first place. Recently there haven't been many: your other stuff is still interesting, but this is what makes your channel unique and extremely valuable.
the photos "walk into paradise garden" as I was told in photography school in the 70s, was the first photo that W.E shot when he had recovered from his war injury which almost took his sight. His work is amazing and still sends chills down my neck. Its a shame that young photographers don't study these giants of photography. Im so glad I found your site.
Wow. As a parent of a profoundly disabled girl, the photo of the mother bathing her daughter stopped me in my tracks. Thank you for the video, I will definitely investigate W Eugene Smith further!
As a wedding and event photographer, I agree with you. He had a gift to know where to put the light to maximize the best opportunities as they would come. I strive for this but often feel I will be annoying people by putting a light up in specific places. So often times I don’t use one and I often regret it if I don’t.
I missed these "classic" Art of Photography episodes! I wasn't familiar with Eugene Smith, thank you so much for the presentation!! Very inspiring indeed
Yea! Back to photolit. I appreciate the treatment of the complexity of trying to represent his work. I think that now in the days of digital, this question of curation is going to be something that becomes increasingly important to all of us. Right now I think that the art world and the media that we employ no longer really have an a way to handle the vast volumes that we create as photographers. The limiting factor is no longer the ability produce, but rather the finite attention span of our audience.
I am not sure about everyone else but these are the type of videos I have missed. I am in agreement with Rejean, W Eugene Smith was high on my list of favorites. There is another video about him on youtube and it says tat he was never happy with his images always reworking them trying to make them even better which is why he didn't get his assignments in on time or would not be happy with the editors choices. Sometimes I wish I had that kind of drive but then I remember I would not want to go through the pain he must have been in.
Incredible story telling. Enjoyed every moment of this well spoken and intelligent portrait of this brilliant and multifaceted photographer and human being. Well done - Thanks.
This is an amazing talk. My father bought me a book of Smith's work and I must have looked at it 1000 times when in high school. He is the best photographer, imho. You have earned a subscriber!
What a phenomenal presentation covering the life of this most iconic photographer/photojournalist! I do not think anyone else could have done a better job of discussing the overall life and impact of Eugene Smith on the photographic arts. This was truly a monumental undertaking, and you presented it exquisitely! I cannot wait to tune in for your next presentation :)
Thank you Ted; this was a moving presentation for me. I often open a window window on another monitor and look at the photos of your lecture subject. The combination was an awesome experience. I am looking forward to your next post. Great as always.
Great essay. I admire Smith so much that about 30 years ago (before the internet), I went through the trouble to find some old issues of Life specifically to get his work. Two points based on your video: 1) The photo essay is still with us. We see it online, inserted into videos with Ken Burns effects, used in advertising and as personal projects (like Smith's). It has evolved, but it is alive and well IMO. 2) Most people who shoot staggering volumes don't know how to shoot, so they use volume to cover a lack of skill. It takes hundreds of frames to get one usable shot (yes, there are some exceptions, I realize, in particular genres). I'm always amazed at how few frames the masters shoot and I'm always trying to shoot fewer frames to get the one I want. Smith is exceptional because his volume wasn't to cover inability, but the opposite: he executed exceptional images in relatively few frames each, as you expect from a master -- but stands out because he did this many thousands of times.
The photo reportage what an amazing way to convey a story with images. Mr. W. Eugene Smith was indeed a powerhouse in photographic production and a troubled one, perhaps overheated. I would love to see his entire oeuvre in a wide span of time. Thanks for giving hi, his place in your enlightening series of videos!
Amazing episode! Amazing photos but I'm especially reeling about the jazz loft recordings! I've never heard of this till now! Being a musician/recording engineer and jazz lover, what I'd have given to be there at that time! What a gold mine! thanks for this and all your work!
love the mix of bio and images. i’m reading Wide Lens now and your video is a really nice partner for that book. what a talent Smith was. I’m definitely hooked.
Thank you so much for this beautiful tribute. Love your insights and perspective. Well done. So glad I found your channel. A great resource when I need inspiration.
Smith is my favorite artist and for the last 15 years I've drawn my inspiration from him. We share two things: one light source and at one time we drank our own developer. Mine was cafinaol..... Anyway history through the eyes of a story teller as he wanted you to see it...... Great video.
Thank you for this new discovery. Lucky for Eugene Smith, we are in the digital world, so if it doesn’t already exist, we can have a virtual library of all of his work.
I drop into the Art of photography once in a while and like a lot of the content. This 5 year old video happened to pop up in my you tube feed after I watched a video on a Dutch war photographer. I didn’t know who Smith was so I watched a couple of minutes - and then the whole thing. Of course I did know Smith’s work but didn’t know his name, but should have. So now I am a subscriber! I saw the biography of Fan Ho on this channel a couple of years ago and should have known then I should subscribe but didn’t. A mistake now rectified.
Yes… people actually go back in time. Just saw the Depp movie Minamoto. Your work has taught me to dig and go back in time to watch older episodes. I’ve been following you for 2 years. This episode is one of my favorite RU-vid documentaries yet! So well done! I just moved from Chicago area to Japan and interested in linkage between our 2 nations. BTW… have you ever considered doing a photo shoot on Ft Worth. I lived in Dallas and Austin twice for a total of 10 years and fell in love with the flavor of Ft Worth. Would love to see your perspective on What Ft Worth is? Before it’s gone. I look to you as a sensible and knowledgeable story teller. Keep up the inspiring work!
Thank you for one of the best and most informative series I have ever seen - and certainly one of the best examples of what the internet/youtube was supposed to be...
Absolutely excellent. I knew about the loft project to a point. I wasn't aware it was so extensive. I have a memory of reading somewhere that Smith was beaten in Japan by the company's security people. His head was injured and that was what started his decline when he got back to the US. Also, I had the idea that the Pittsburg thing was for some private person. I am sure I saw this person interviewed but have to think where and look it up lol. Great video. Looking forward to the follow ups..thank you!
Your insights are super. They make me aware that my own work has the ability to form a part of history! Your insights are brilliant and there's sheer passion about this medium.
Eugene Smith suffered from ptsd due to his work during the war. He landed on several beaches with the infantry and went on numerous bombing missions with the bomber crews. He did more assaults and flying missions than many infantrymen and pilots. He had ptsd that was probably untreated and undiagnosed.
Excellent introduction to W. Eugene Smith. Slight correction... I believe that you mentioned that the Pittsburgh project was for Magnum. The project was actually for Stefan Lorant and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development (which was funded by Richard King Mellon). Magnum was his agent.
W Eugene Smith is up there in the top 3-4 of all time but I think you're wrong when you assert that he never staged shots. I think it's quite well known (or accepted at least) that he did stage shots. The Country Doctor series definitely included staged recreations of actual scenes. He was a pain in the butt to editors because he refused to let them crop. He was also a speed addict which probably partly caused his mania and eventual death. Still, he produced the most beautiful and powerful images. Definitely one to be studied. At the same time as inspiring people to pick up a camera he also makes one want to give up.
W. Eugene Smith had a rigorous darkroom technique. The highlights in many photographs were not controlled by lighting, but rather by the judicious (and repeated use) of ferricyanide to bleach the areas that he wanted highlighted. Not the mysterious use of a flash. Joseph Claener
