“Three Generations of Welsh Miners” He was sort of ruthless about everything in regard to his work, actually. Apparently Smith’s biggest ambition was to have complete control over a major photo essay, from start to finish, and he never really achieved it in exactly the way he wanted. (It sounds great to work for Life and all the best publications, but that’s a gilded cage.) As a result of never being able to achieve his greatest ambitions, he struggled with the usual suspects of drinking and depression his whole life. Someone should really make a movie of his life, actually — from the exotic locations to the political convictions to the fraught family life, it’s all there. Copyright W. Eugene Smith

“Three Generations of Welsh Miners”

He was sort of ruthless about everything in regard to his work, actually. Apparently Smith’s biggest ambition was to have complete control over a major photo essay, from start to finish, and he never really achieved it in exactly the way he wanted. (It sounds great to work for Life and all the best publications, but that’s a gilded cage.) As a result of never being able to achieve his greatest ambitions, he struggled with the usual suspects of drinking and depression his whole life. Someone should really make a movie of his life, actually — from the exotic locations to the political convictions to the fraught family life, it’s all there.

Copyright W. Eugene Smith