Eugene Smith (1918-1978) was a photojournalist, later recognized as a master of photography, documenting with tragic vivacity events such as World War II. He has photographed for several magazines including Newsweek, Life and Parade. He refused to use traditional methods of photography and that led to several conflicts with media employers.
He created photo essays with various individuals as his subject. He photographed U.S. Marines on the front lines in Japan, even suffering a war injury (by mortar fire) in the process. His first official "photo story" centered around a country doctor in late the 1940's shot in Kremmling, Colorado. He covered the 1950 general election in the UK, which included photos of working class British citizens including the famous portrait of three generations of coal miners. Other stories take place in Spain, Africa, several places in the United States including Pennsylvania, California and South Carolina as well as returning to Japan to document the devastating effects of mercury poisoning.
Eugene Smith is thought of as the originator of photo stories. He most poignant series are titled Pittsburg, Nurse Midwife, Minamata, Country Doctor and Albert Schweitzer - A Man of Mercy.
Eugene Smith passed away in 1978 from a stroke as a result of drug and alcoholic tendencies.
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