Blog 9: Eugene Smith

     Eugene Smith was an American photojournalist who lived from 1918 to 1978 (second image). During World War II, he followed American troops as they island-hopped to fight the Japanese. He was severely injured and underwent over 30 surgeries but kept going as soon as he recuperated. 

    One of Smith's series was following a country doctor, Dr. Ernest Ceriani. The images in this capture who the doctor was, who he treated, and how he treated people. The first image included is a photo Smith took of the country doctor. He's walking through a yard next to a white picket fence. He's on his way to see a patient or is just leaving one. The doctor is centered in the image with many grey tones surrounding him. The image is moody, especially with the way the clouds sit above him. His expression holds sorrow, as though he just saw or heard something that will never leave him.  This is fitting because I feel it was common for country doctor's to be called when there wasn't much they could do. Either an illness in late stages or injuries that needed more tending to than these doctors were able to offer. Many of the other photos in this gallery show Ceriani with other people.  

    While some of the photos aren't in focus, it works for what Smith was doing. You can't have a doctor and patient stop mid examination to pose for a picture. The slight blur and show of movement adds to the authenticity of each photo. It's cool to see that not everything is "fake" and done for the sake of photo but that some people use what's real, what is already out there and happening and choosing to capture it to share the story.