The main thing that springs to mind when comparing W. Eugene Smiths ‘The Country Doctor’ with Briony Campbells ‘The Dad Project’ is the differing levels of emotional connectivity between the two photographers and their subjects, and the differing levels of sensitivity emitted through the works.
There are many factors at play that influence the differing approach of both photographers, but it mainly boils down to the way the photographers engage with their subjects. With Smith he has become a pure observer to the scenes playing out in front of him with minimal or no interaction with his subject – taking a more objective approach to his story. His subject (Dr. Ceriani) is so used to him being there that he ignores him.
Briony’s images on the other hand are full of emotion and tenderness, she is an active participant in the story and often features in the images herself. Her approach is more subjective; this subjectivity allows her to portray a sensitivity within her body of work, which in turn allows the viewer a greater level of connection to it. The collaboration with her father in making the work also gives the viewer a greater opportunity to connect, because through this act of collaboration it is as if we have been given permission by them to be a participant as well. Briony’s images certainly convey more feeling and often these feelings are hers.
Although the work is about the end of life, the story for Briony never really ends, she has the memory of the collaboration with her father and the closeness that the project gave them during his last year and also the document that allows his memory to be ever present.
Bibliography
Time. (2019). https://time.com. [online] Available at: https://time.com/3456085/w-eugene-smiths-landmark-photo-essay-country-doctor/ [Accessed 23 Oct. 2019].
Brionycampbell.com. (2019). [online] Available at: http://www.brionycampbell.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/The_Dad_Project_Briony_Campbell.pdf [Accessed 23 Oct. 2019].
Context and Narrative 