Photographers.

This is coolbert:

Photojournalism as a journalistic medium and an art form came into being in the years just prior to World War Two [WW2].

Primarily as a result of the widespread use of the 35 mm camera.

Two outstanding practitioners of this journalistic medium and art form were Carl Mydans and David Douglas Duncan.

These two men had careers that spanned decades.

Careers that were inextricably linked to war.

Carl Mydans got his start in photojournalism covering the homeless and migrant workers of the Dust Bowl era.




Covered conflicts in Finland [Finns vs. Soviets], China [Chinese vs. Japanese], WW2 [European and Pacific theatres], Korea.

Mydans was captured by the Japanese during WW2, interred as a civilian, transferred and repatriated to the U.S., returning to the Philippines to participate in the release of those he had been captive with. A brave man.

Is perhaps best known for the photographs taken of General MacArthur. Almost became the PERSONAL photographer to the General. Had access to the higher levels of command where few if any others did.



[a lot of wags have commented that this was a staged photo. NOT really representative of Mac Arthur wading ashore at Leyte, Red Beach One. Mydans maintains this is the real things and was not staged.]

David Douglas Duncan began his career in photography as a serving officer in the U.S. Marine Corps during WW2. Did a lot of outstanding work during that conflict. As a civilian, also did photojournalism during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.



Duncan seems to have preferred taking photos of "action". Almost a combat photographer. Took a lot of photos of the common soldier at his duties. Seems to have also a more "artistic" quality to his work. Always tries to employ techniques to show a three-dimensional aspect [depth] to his photography.

[both men preferred the black and white media over color. I think it is possible to manipulate black and white photos during development in a way you cannot with color. Stark contrasts of black and white make for "artistic effect". I don't think the color films of the era were quite up to the task either.]

Here are some selections I have made from the "collected works" of Mydans and Duncan that can be found on line.

From the works of Mydans:



[another Frenchwoman who has been found guilty of "horizontal collaboration". Notice the gala and festive atmosphere. Except for the weeping woman on her knees.]



[this particular photo needs special explanation. From the words of Mydans himself:

"Lee Rogers and John Todd lost 131
pounds between them during their four
years in Santo Tomas, and both suffered
beriberi."

"I shared a room with them and
thirty five other men before I was transferred
to China and eventually repatriated."

"MacArthur, knowing that Carl had been held prisoner by the Japanese, placed him with the first American armored regiment as it sped towards Manila. Late at night, the tanks drew up in front of the Santo Tomas prison. Carl dismounted and walked to the front gate and called out. One of his friends from the camp slowly approached, squinting in the glare of the tank lights. Carl called out...'It's Carl! Carl Mydans!' In disbelief the emaciated survivors ran their hands over his face. 'My God! It is Carl Mydans!' They wept."

From the works of Duncan:



[air drop of supplies to Marines somewhere in the Pacific theatre. Duncan has used the vegetation in the foreground to frame the aircraft and add depth to the photo.]



[U.S. Marine. Presumably during the retreat from the "frozen Chosin".]



[fire burning at Khe Sanh. Marines in foreground add depth to the photo. Again, depth is suggested by clever and skillful composition.]



[Rifle pointing at target, spotter pointing toward same, officer in charge looking at the same spot. To the right is the target. You know where the enemy is.]



[this is a U.S. Marine company commander that has just found out that expected supplies will not be delivered on time. Among those supplies was THE MONTHLY BEER RATION!! This will be a big blow to morale. And this commander knows it and shows it too!!]

I think that the likes of these two men and their work will not be seen again! Modern technology has rendered the photojournalist an anachronism??!! I would like to think not! But am afraid so.

coolbert.