Lee Miller (film) & War Photography

lindsay

lindsay

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Mrs P and I went to see the film Lee last night, about Lee Miller. It's not a complete biography, but an engaging film and interesting to see as a photographer. I think something that surprised me - I assume it is accurate - is that she used a Rolleiflex TLR as a war photographer, not the easiest tool I'd have thought, in terms of focusing and ease of handling. Also because of having to frequently change film (12 exposures a roll unless she was using 220). It set me thinking, afterwards, about other great war photographers, and whether we see/will see similar from current conflicts. I think I've seen some great video from Ukraine but I imagine there is a body of stills work being produced, I'm just not sure where to look for it. Ditto Gaza/Yemen/Sudan etc, even more difficult given that any Western photojournalist probbly wouldn't survive long in those environments.

I recommend the film though a a good watch, if anyone is wondering.
 
I was wondering whether it was any good. No cinema for me, but I'm hoping for an early streaming release.

I think with cameras being so prevalent, the amount of war photography is already being produced by those taking part. No technical skills required, so the need for a "photography expert" isn't there. I'm sure there are documentary photographers trying to tell a more complete story, but in todays instant gratification, I'm not sure there is a market for anything that doesn't take longer than 2 seconds to swipe through.
 
It’s on my ‘To watch list’ Lindsay (y)
 
That's what I was thinking of Ian, we don't have magazines like Life any more, although I know when I raised this topic a couple of years ago, there are some online equivalents albeit they are not generally known about.
 
lindsay said:
I think something that surprised me - I assume it is accurate - is that she used a Rolleiflex TLR as a war photographer, not the easiest tool I'd have thought, in terms of focusing and ease of handling.
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Miller's preference for Rolleiflex TLRs is well documented: https://www.leemiller.co.uk/faqs/

They were tough and reliable. Most importantly, they provided 12 frames on a roll, a great improvement over the bulky and much slower press camera with its, at best, 2 frames per dark slide. The big focussing screen probably appealed to Miller and she could switch to the surprisingly usable direct vision finder for press work. She also used a Zeiss Contax outfit for her war work but this seems to have been a secondary tool to her preferred TLR.
 
I enjoyed the film - I'd have liked the timeline to have started a little earlier just to explore Miller's relationship with Man Ray a bit

I imagine in the examples cited, Gaza/Yemen/Sudan.. On one hand a lot of the documentary photography might be done by people on the ground with the required access already and it's just case of curating the photographs and getting them out there.. but a lot of these pictures could be produced with propaganda in mind, especially when you look at some the viral images on social media.
 
I agree with all of that Ben. Indeed her time as a student/assistant with Man Ray was clearly formative.
Regarding current war photography, again true, complicated by the prevalence of social media for publishing images without editorial oversight. Or with it as you say, for propaganda purposes.
 
lindsay said:
It set me thinking, afterwards, about other great war photographers, and whether we see/will see similar from current conflicts. I think I've seen some great video from Ukraine but I imagine there is a body of stills work being produced, I'm just not sure where to look for it. Ditto Gaza/Yemen/Sudan etc, even more difficult given that any Western photojournalist probbly wouldn't survive long in those environments.
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Not sure if this is great war photography but it's from the Ukraine conflict. https://www.theguardian.com/artandd...p/18/ukraine-war-zone-byron-smith-in-pictures

I keep an eye on the Guardian site, and Reuters https://www.reuters.com/wider-image/ for current documentary/news type work.
 
Thanks Dave, that's a good link to some excellent work.
 
We were in Falmouth recently and for anyone local there is a Lee Miller exhibition in the Art Gallery as she spent some time in Cornwall. Recommend a visit to Farleys House also for anyone in reach of the South Coast. Not far from Charleston is also not far away for anybody interested in the Bloomsbury Group of artists.
 
Thanks for the info on the film, have seen things in the news about it and on the "one to watch" list.

I think the film only covers a small part of her life but she was a troubled soul even from childhood.

However, if your interested in female WWII photographers look up Margaret Bouke-White, she is not as well know as Lee but her images are fantastic.
 
I'm a little late to this discussion, but felt that I needed to add my thoughts on the film.

I saw the film yesterday and I would recommend it to anyone interested in war photo journalism. It is not an easy watch as it reminds us of the cruelty of war. The film also highlights the impact of conflicts on those putting their lives on the line to ensure the story gets reported. Technology has changed, but the challenges are just as great.
 
lindsay said:
Mrs P and I went to see the film Lee last night, about Lee Miller. It's not a complete biography, but an engaging film and interesting to see as a photographer. I think something that surprised me - I assume it is accurate - is that she used a Rolleiflex TLR as a war photographer, not the easiest tool I'd have thought, in terms of focusing and ease of handling. Also because of having to frequently change film (12 exposures a roll unless she was using 220). It set me thinking, afterwards, about other great war photographers, and whether we see/will see similar from current conflicts. I think I've seen some great video from Ukraine but I imagine there is a body of stills work being produced, I'm just not sure where to look for it. Ditto Gaza/Yemen/Sudan etc, even more difficult given that any Western photojournalist probbly wouldn't survive long in those environments.

I recommend the film though a a good watch, if anyone is wondering.
Click to expand...
I haven't watched this but The VIII foundation ,that I often recommend on here has this, has several presentations on photography in Ukraine.

"It has been two years since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and reporting the ongoing war while preserving that visual documentation is a historical necessity.

The Ukrainian Photo Archive of War (Ukrainian Warchive) collects and safeguards visual material about the war. They also support Ukrainian photographers documenting the events in their homeland."

theviifoundation.org

Ukrainian Warchive: Collecting Stories of War - The VII Foundation

It has been two years since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and reporting the ongoing war while preserving that visual documentation is a historical necessity. The Ukrainian Photo Archive of War (Ukrainian Warchive) collects and safeguards visual material about the war...
theviifoundation.org

And...

The above is a follow up of this video

"The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a pivotal event in the history of Europe, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties and triggering a global food and energy crisis. Documenting the ongoing war and preserving that documentation is a historical necessity.

In this event, Katya Sergatskova, Eugene Safonov, and Emine Ziyatdinova gave us a first look at the Ukraine War Photo Archive they are building to preserve documentary visual materials about the Russian invasion and to support photographers who cover the events."

theviifoundation.org

Building a Ukrainian War Photo Archive - The VII Foundation

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a pivotal event in the history of Europe, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties and triggering a global food and energy crisis. Documenting the ongoing war and preserving that documentation is a historical necessity. In this event, Katya Sergatskova...
theviifoundation.org

And...

There is also a discussion on the book: Ukraine: a war crime

"A compilation of work by 93 photojournalists from 25 countries who united to share their firsthand experience covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine, “Ukraine – A War Crime” is the FotoEvidence 2023 award winner. The book collects visual evidence of the violence and war crimes committed on Ukrainian soil. As such, it will serve as a powerful tool for mobilization, legal prosecution, and as an historical document for future generations."

theviifoundation.org

Book Club: Ukraine–A War Crime - The VII Foundation

In this Book Club event, Ziyah Gafic speaks with Svetlana Bachevanova and Sarah Leen about Ukraine: A War Crime. A compilation of work by 93 photojournalists from 25 countries who united to share their firsthand experience covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine, “Ukraine – A War Crime” is the...
theviifoundation.org


And:

"In this event, Joseph Sywenkyj presents his project Wounds, an intimate study of Ukrainian activists and soldiers who were severely wounded during the Euromaidan Revolution and Russia’s ongoing brutal war against Ukraine. It focuses intensely on individuals and their families who fought for justice, democracy, and Ukraine’s continued independence."

theviifoundation.org

Wounds: Ukraine, by Joseph Sywenkyj - The VII Foundation

In this event, Joseph Sywenkyj presents his project Wounds, an intimate study of Ukrainian activists and soldiers who were severely wounded during the Euromaidan Revolution and Russia’s ongoing brutal war against Ukraine. It focuses intensely on individuals and their families who fought for...
theviifoundation.org

There are at least a couple more presentation about Ukraine, but I can't find any on Gaza. Which is odd as I'm sure I can remember some on Gaza, but there is a large library to scroll through.

In my opinion, this website has some of the most interesting videos on the Internet.. It used to be complicated to get into, but now you can just open it and browse.
 
lindsay said:
Mrs P and I went to see the film Lee last night, about Lee Miller. It's not a complete biography, but an engaging film and interesting to see as a photographer. I think something that surprised me - I assume it is accurate - is that she used a Rolleiflex TLR as a war photographer, not the easiest tool I'd have thought, in terms of focusing and ease of handling. Also because of having to frequently change film (12 exposures a roll unless she was using 220). It set me thinking, afterwards, about other great war photographers, and whether we see/will see similar from current conflicts. I think I've seen some great video from Ukraine but I imagine there is a body of stills work being produced, I'm just not sure where to look for it. Ditto Gaza/Yemen/Sudan etc, even more difficult given that any Western photojournalist probbly wouldn't survive long in those environments.

I recommend the film though a a good watch, if anyone is wondering.
Click to expand...
I went with my wife to see it. at the local Odeon on the opening night, we both really enjoyed it. Not being a regular cinemas goer I didn't realise how expensive it currently is, was around £40 for both of us. Then 2 weeks later visited Farleys, which was very interesting I left home early in time for the first tour, travelling by myself. Will take my wife next year when the tours restart. for anyone in the Brighton area they are not far away. I came from Buckinghamshire. When watching the film I found myself wondering if I would have composed the same. Most of the time I would have.
 
£40.00 quid to go to the fliccies! Daylight (sort of) robbery :eek:
 
It cost us £16 for 2 at our local Omniplex.
Mind you, it appears to be coming to Sky soon.
 
Another movie on my list to watch, Kate is always a pleasure to watch, she's an amazing actress.

Anybody watched Minamata? Another movie about photographer, enjoyed it very much.

Minamata-scaled-aspect-ratio-2000-1200-1024x614.jpg
 
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