Eugene W. Smith Quotes

A collection of quotes by Eugene W. Smith.

Eugene W. Smith, often referred to as Gene Smith, was an influential American photojournalist and documentary photographer. He was born on December 20, 1918, in Wichita, Kansas, and passed away on October 15, 1978, in Tucson, Arizona.

Smith began his career as a photographer at the Wichita Eagle newspaper before joining Newsweek in 1939. During World War II, he worked as a war correspondent, capturing images that documented the harsh realities faced by soldiers and civilians alike. Smith's powerful photographs highlighted the human side of the war, conveying emotive storytelling.

One of Smith's most notable works came after the war when he joined Life magazine as a staff photographer. He spent several years on a monumental project called "Country Doctor" (1948), which brought attention to the challenges faced by rural doctors and the communities they served. This photo essay portrayed the everyday lives of Dr. Ernest Ceriani and his patients in the small town of Kremmling, Colorado, and remains an insightful and poignant exploration of the human condition.

Throughout his career, Smith continued to push the boundaries of photojournalism. His remarkable ability to capture profound moments of humanity, often in difficult or sensitive situations, solidified his legacy as one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century.

Although his life was tragically cut short, Eugene W. Smith's contribution to the field of photography and his dedication to using visuals to communicate powerful stories have left a lasting impact on the art of photojournalism.