I am looking for a photograph published some time in the '40s taken by their war correspondent father.?

Question

This photograph is one of two little kids,a boy and girl, taken from behind, they are walking from a garden arbour into the sunlight. They are nearly in silouette. Their clothing suggests 1940s or early 50s. If I remember the story properly, their father was a fairly famous World War II photographer. It may have been published in Life Magazine, but I am not sure about that. This photograph was his most requested photo. In his interview the photographer laughed about how he won awards for his war photos, but the people wanted the one of his children. I am not sure, but they MIGHT have been English. Does any one know what I am talking about? I used to see it a lot when I was a kid, but I haven't seen it in years. I want to use it in a presentation, but can't find a copy of it.

Answer 1

The photographer was W. Eugene Smith. The photograph was titled "Walk To Paradise Garden". If memory serves it was the very last photograph in the Edward Steichen exhibition and book titled "The Family of Man'.

It was taken while Smith was recovering from serious wounds suffered on the battlefield. At the time he took the photograph it was feared he'd never be able to use a camera again.

He recovered fully and he and his wife, Aileen, later produced the book 'Minamata'. This book documented the poisoning of the Japanese village Minamata by the local industry.