W.Eugene Smith & Ghost Signs

[Nicholas Brewer]

I saw a brief piece about this incredible photographer on the 'Genius of Photography' that piqued my interest. A deeply flawed individual with a troubled past. His father committed suicide when he was just a teenager and he grew into an obsessive alcoholic. Smith was commissioned to spend three weeks photographing the steel workers of Pittsburgh but ended up staying three years. In terms of jobs over running I suspect that this must be a record. I have written a little about him on my blog. More importantly there are links throughout the post that will enable you to find out more and there is a good clip I found on youtube.

This is one of his most famous photographs that closed the 'Family of Man' exhibition curated by Edward Steichen and is clearly sentimental but is touching especially as this is a photograph of his children. He died with 18 dollars in the bank but leaves a lasting legacy for future generations of photographers.  

Ghost Signs.

No not photographic proof of things that go bump in the night but faded adverts painted on the side of buildings. I have spent almost a year photographing the many near my home in South London. Please click on the above link to see a few examples and there is a link at the bottom of the page providing information about the history of this fascinating subject. 

 

[Steve Moriarty Curator of photography at the Snite Museum, University of Notre Dame]

Check out Clarence John Laughlin's photo, "The Specter of Coca-Cola."

[Michael Pritchard]

There is a project dealing with Ghost Signs, supported bhy the History of Advertising Trust here http://www.ghostsigns.co.uk/