Eugene Smith Fund

W. Eugene Smith learned the hard way that photography could be too easy, a matter of making expert images of interesting subjects. He set himself to learn the truth - about himself as well as his subjects. In the process, he produced a series of photographic essays, for LIFE and other publications, whose passionate involvement set a standard for what photography can be. Gene Smith was a loner, a driving and driven man, who bucked the system of which he was a part. Some say he sacrificed his career, and himself, on an altar of self-destructive idealism. When he died at the age of 59 in 1978, he had 18 in the bank. But his name had become synonymous with integrity. His work was his memorial. Why, then, a memorial fund in his name? Those who knew Smith knew also that he needed friends at critical times. Many photographers today are working against the fashions and economics of modern publishing. The Fund was established in 1979 to seek out and encourage these independent voices. In the first twenty eight years of competition, from many thousands of proposals, the Fund selected 287 finalists who were seeking help in finishing major projects. Each was worthy of a grant. In one way or another, a finalist must approach Gene Smith s own high standards. I am a compassionate cynic, he wrote, yet I believe I am one of the most affirmative photographers around. I have tried to let the truth be my prejudice. It has taken much sweat. It has been worth it.

http://www.smithfund.org/aboutfund/overview

Joachim Ladefoged - Photographer - US

Joachim Ladefoged is a Danish photographer born in 1970. He has worked as a professional photographer since 1991 and is a member of the international photo agency VII. Today he works for magazines such as The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, Newsweek and TIME. Over the years Joachim Ladefoged has received numerous awards for his work from institutions such as Visa D Or, World Press Photo, POYi, Eissie, and Agfa, as well as Picture of the Year in Denmark. He has been named one of Photo District News 30 emerging photographers to watch and he has participated in the Joop Swart Master Class at World Press Photo. In 2000 he published his book Albanians that pictures the turbulent life of the Albanians between 1997 and 1999. In February 2008 he published his latest monograph Mirror about bodybuilders, and has just finished directing his first Art-Documentary film about bodybuilders that will be launched in early 2009.

http://www.joachimladefoged.com/

chantal hovens photography

Chantal Hovens 1970 graduated the Dutch Photo Academy in Apeldoorn in 1998, specialisations portrait and documentary photography. Before that she completed the social academy and a study in journalism. The influence from these studies is visible in her photography. Chantal Hovens is focussing in her work on mankind and society. She thinks that it s important that within the documentary photography there s enough space for the beauty of the simple site of being. Her work is asking attention for a world that s approached and shown from a optimistic point of view. - Chantal Hovens 1970 studeerde in 1998 af aan de Nederlandse Fotovakschool in Apeldoorn met als specialisaties reportage- en portretfotografie. Eerder voltooide ze de sociale academie en een opleiding in de journalistiek. De invloed van deze opleidingen is in haar fotografie terug te vinden. Chantal Hovens stelt mens en maatschappij centraal in haar werk Zij vindt het belangrijk dat binnen de documentaire fotografie voldoende plaats is voor de schoonheid van de eenvoudige kant van het bestaan. - Chantal Hovens 1970 finissait ces etudes photographique en 1998 l academie photographique de Apeldoorn, sp cialisee en portrait et reportage. Avant elle finissait l academie social et une etude en journalisme. L influence de ces etudes est visible dans cesses images.

http://www.chantalhovens.com/

Michael Trost - Fotografie für Werbung und Redaktion. Reportagen - CH-8707 Uetikon am See

Fotografie für Werbung und Redaktion. Reportage People Outdoorfotografie etc.

http://www.pixelgarden.ch/

Martin Parr Photographer

Martin Parr Photographer and Photograph Collection

http://www.martinparr.com/index1.html