W. Eugene Smith
American , 1918-1978
Another in the series highlighting my admiration for that generation of American photographers who worked from the 1930's to the mid-1970's. Smith's work is summed up by this this quote:
"I am constantly torn between the attitude of the conscientious journalist who is a recorder and interpreter of the facts and of the creative artist who often is necessarily at poetic odds with the literal facts."
This image from the Second World War in the Pacific shows this artistic conflict perfectly. The image is cinematic in its approach, reveling in the grandeur of the scene, making the subject matter appear un-worldly. However this is photojournalism during wartime, it doesn't get more real than that.

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