Master of thematic photography-Eugene Smith

Eugene Smith (19 18- 1978) is undoubtedly one of the greatest war photographers in the 20th century. As a lifelong photographer, he recorded countless wars and social problems, even risking his life for it. He is not only interested in taking perfect photos, but also hopes that his photos can resonate with the audience emotionally and bring the story into the audience's heart.

Eugene Smith was born on 19 18 in Wichita, Kansas, USA. /kloc-at the age of 0/4, Smith began to use photography to assist his aviation research. In less than a year, he became a photographer for two local newspapers. A year later, he left the university and went to new york. From 65438 to 0942, Smith became a war correspondent for Life Weekly. During this period, he covered many of the most important battles in the Pacific, including Tarawa, Saipan, Guam and Iwo Jima.

Smith's conscience was touched when he observed and filmed Japanese victims in the war. At that time, he began to develop the theme of social responsibility in his works. He tried to touch the emotions of the audience and inspire them to work hard for social justice. As Smith explained, "I hope my photos can convey some information against the greed, stupidity and paranoia that led to these wars."

"I don't want to risk my life to take another bloody photo for the news report, but if it can change people's views on the war, then I think my life is worth it. But I would never advise others to make such a decision. This must be their own decision. "

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He once said that he didn't just use his photos taken during World War II as a tool to record and transmit news events, but as an indictment of the war-cruel, depraved and cruel harm to people's spirit and body, a powerful emotional catalyst, which helps to expose the cruelty of the war and prevent the tragedy from happening again.

He was seriously injured when he followed the American army to attack Okinawa, Japan. In the next two years, he underwent 32 operations. 1947, during his painful recovery, he took the first photo after the injury. This photo, entitled "Towards Paradise Garden", recorded the scene of his children entering a forest clearing and became one of his most famous photos.

When I followed my children into the bushes and a group of higher trees-how happy they were at every little discovery-and looked at them, I suddenly realized that at this moment, despite the war and everything I experienced that day, I still wanted to sing a sonnet about life and summon up courage to continue living. ...

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1948, Life Weekly commissioned Smith to shoot a report on general practitioners. Smith spent 23 days with Dr. Cherinia and wrote a special report on rural doctors in Colorado. Smith ate and lived with the doctor and took more than 2000 negatives in the past month. Rural doctors were filmed in the post-war era when there was no TV and internet, so magazines like Life are very important for people to get information.

Photography is a tiny sound at best, but sometimes a photo, or a group of photos, can trigger people's perception and activate people's power.

The purpose of this special report is to attract young doctors to become general practitioners, because many medical doctors go to big cities to choose higher-paying jobs after graduation, and few people will choose general practitioners. Many people live in rural areas and have poor medical conditions. More doctors are needed to go to the countryside to improve the medical conditions in the countryside.

When Smith met Dr. Ceriani, he had lived here for a year. He is the only doctor in town. They are about the same age. Smith lives with Dr. Ceriani and takes many photos of doctors at work and after work. The picture above shows Dr. Cherinia on her way to a remote village to visit patients.

This photo is one of the most famous photos in the series of rural doctors, which captures the unforgettable expression and posture of Dr. Cherinia. This was taken in 1948, when the baby and mother died of complications after a caesarean section performed by Dr. Cherinia.

Smith's special report on rural doctors provides people with an unusual personal perspective and makes people know more about all aspects of the work and life of general practitioners. Through Smith's photographic pictures, people can understand the doctor's tiring schedule and the lack of medical conditions in rural areas. Doctors are in charge of daily diseases in the whole area, from sedatives to unforgettable amputations.

Midwife tells the story of a black woman, Maud Cullen, who is a midwife in a small county town in Pi enver, South Carolina. On February 3rd, 195 165438, Life magazine published a 12 page photo topic "Midwife" in Eugene Smith, which attracted national attention.

No story can fully describe the depth of life of this amazing, patient and confident woman I interviewed.

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Maud Cullen has been a midwife in South Carolina for 60 years. She opened a rural community clinic in her own home. In her career, in addition to training midwives, she also delivered 600-800 children. She provides family services for people in poverty-stricken areas of 1000 square kilometers.

From 65438 to 0954, Eugene Smith filmed a special topic for Albert Schwaetzer, an African leper, and published it in Life Weekly with the title "A compassionate person".

Albert schweitzer (1987- 1965) was an epoch-making private, famous scholar and humanist in the 20th century. He was gifted in philosophy, medicine, theology and music, and put forward the ethical thought of "fearing life". He is a great generalist. 19 13 He came to Gabon, Africa, and set up a jungle clinic to do medical assistance until his death. 1952, albert schweitzer won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Eugene Smith recorded Dr. Shi Huaizhe, his hospice care and his humanitarian work in Africa in a kind way. As a perfectionist, Smith spent five days developing and processing Schwaetzer's photos.

197 1 year, Smith and his wife Eileen Mizoko Smith lived in Minamata Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan, and filmed the film with the theme of Minamata.

After World War II, Japan's economic growth has also brought a series of problems in order to recover the war wounds as soon as possible and develop the economy rapidly. In order to maximize profits, the bourgeoisie invested and built factories in coastal areas, which caused serious environmental pollution problems, and many major public hazards occurred one after another, among which Minamata disease was one.

Smith and his wife planned to stay in Minamata for three weeks, but in the end they stayed for three years. In order to make a more in-depth report on "Minamata disease", he was beaten by the company staff during the filming process, and his eyes were almost blind, but he completed the topic with persistent spirit.

Smith bravely struggles with social reality with his unique photographic language, showing his concern for human nature, respect for life and concern for human living environment.

Other photographic works

Eugene Smith died in 1978, but people didn't forget him. In the second year after his death, people set up a foundation in his name to find and help photographers with creative passion.

The Pacific War, rural doctors, victims of industrial pollution in Japanese countryside-all these were recorded by legendary Eugene Smith with unforgettable photos. No matter where he is, what he shoots and who he shoots, Smith persistently creates an infectious image and reveals the essence of his theme in a way that touches the emotions and conscience of the audience. The work of this outstanding and complicated man is still the requirement of social justice and the proof of photography.

Smith used this series of special topics to express his thoughts on images and reality, described reality with his thematic concern, thought about the future, and fulfilled the responsibility and mission of a journalist all his life.

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