So here is a social media can be cool story.
As some of you that might read this blog occasionally might know, former LIFE Magazines W. Eugene Smith, is a photographer god to me. He has always been my main, probably my number 1 photographic inspiration. Without Smith I might have never made a social documentary photograph in my life. I consider his photograph "Tomoko in her Bath" the greatest photograph ever made. His depiction of a mothers love for her daughter is love in its most beautiful and pure form. I have spent hours looking at that photograph. Hoping someday I might make something 10% as powerful.
Smith passed in 1978 at 59, a year younger than I am now.
Blog Stories on Smith and the Tomoko photograph
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| Smith photographing in Mimamata/. I love the caring heart he shows here. |
So now let's get to the social media part of the story.
5 years or so back I came across Smiths son on social media. He seemed like a nice, interesting guy, that had his father's heart/empathy and compassion, and we became online friendly. The years past, and we exchanged a friendly word now and again. We have the same political and photography views, and I loved his posts about his dad, and his own life.
Recently I made a post about my possible housing in Bangkok for my coming Thai 3-month trip. Smith's son wrote back that he will be in Bangkok at the same time. We might meet for a meal. If it happens it should be a fun and enjoyable evening.
Social media is strange that way, so much terrible stuff comes out of it but some nice things as well. Gerry a security guard from Edmonton can meet up with his idol's son from America for a dinner in Thailand. Gotta love that! Hope it happens.
