Back in 1936, when Henry Luce bought LIFE magazine, and shaped it into America’s window on the world, one might have thought he had some sort of crystal ball. I mean, the magazine has had its share of ups and downs, once being shuttered for six years, then rebounding as a monthly from ’78 to 2000, then borne again for a brief period as a newspaper supplement. In between, it’s been special issues, yearly recaps, and now, quite successfully, a book publisher. I mean, the name fits. The estimable Mr. Luce was on to something. Ya just can’t kill it. Despite the gaps, and changes, various editors (with wildly disparate skills) and shifting business fortunes, it keeps putting out good stories, using ink on paper, and creating a real thing–a good book you can take home and put on the shelf. LIFE prevails. LIFE goes on.
I started shooting for LIFE in 1984, and became its last staff shooter in the mid 90’s. Photographically, it’s always been home for me. As a young shooter, meeting some of the truly preeminent, venerable members of its legendary staff–Carl Mydans, Gordon Parks, Alfred Eisentaedt, John Loengard, Gjon Mili–was formative and heart stopping, all at once. Sitting and listening to them–what they saw, what they shot–was like listening to the richest, most vibrant history book one could ever encounter. I learned so much. Not enough, but it was a start.
Over the last few years, the LIFE banner has been flown by Bob Sullivan, a truly wonderful editor and friend. He is about the closest thing to a Renaissance man I know. He has written books about sports, jazz, World War II, the Beatles, and the Popes. So, when he called and asked if I could go on the road for the new LIFE book, The Vietnam Wars, and catch up with folks whose lives were powerfully intersected by that turbulent time, I was onboard immediately. I shot the final chapter of the book, looking at representatives of those two Vietnams–the vets who fought, and the protesters who challenged the government.
I was able to work for a day with members of 1st Platoon, who fought and survived a deadly battle, called the Battle of Finger Lake. There is a powerful bond amongst these men still, and all of them, to this day, give enormous credit to Lt. Wilson, their platoon leader, for his steady leadership. As platoon member James Keene said, “He cared about his people. There’s no doubt his actions gave us a fighting chance to get out of there alive.”
It was a pleasure to go on the road with writer Daniel Levy, who wrote sympathetic, moving, and historically riveting accounts of both the vets and the protesters. It was LIFE, back in the day, that really pioneered the use of the powerful tandem of a writer and a photographer, working together, as the essential field team of the journalistic process. Put a good writer and a good photographer in the field, observing and reporting back, and you get a good story.
The above spreads were shot in LA, and then I bounced to Washington DC to shoot groups of vets at the Vietnam Memorial. Because of the horizontal nature of the wall, I experimented with B&W film, panorama style. The rest of the take was shot on a Nikon D800E, or a D4.
One of the best outcomes of doing the story was contacting Julian Bond, a very significant figure at that time, and a leader who has always raised his voice on behalf of non-violence, voting rights, and fairness in governing. I admired him greatly, for many years, and, via this story, I was able to photograph him. I was genuinely in awe of the man.
The section closed with a photo of a group of vets, all standing at attention, saluting. This is the tipping point for a photog on a job. I had done individual portraits of the various gentleman who had come down to the wall. See below.
But, I had one group shot left, and the guys were milling about, chatting, and pretty much needing to go. This is where you need an ally, who can assist you in pulling together an idea that, if you suggested it, as the outsider/photographer, might be reluctantly embraced. But, if you identify a go to guy amongst your subjects, they can help you.
Well, who better than a former Green Beret? I approached him and asked, “If I arranged all the guys, do you think you could get them to attention and salute?” His reply was emphatically affirmative:-)
This was all shot in four days in the field. My favorite pic remains the shadow on the wall. It was already bad light when I met Mr. Jordan. He mentioned his tradition was to come down to the wall at least once a year, and salute the name of his best friend, Gerald E. Niewenhous Jr. I saw the shadow and the name, and I shot it.
Very proud to have done this story, and in a small way, still be part of LIFE. More tk….
Incredible assignment, especially for my generation of photographer-journalist. As expected you deftly handled it with respect, emotion, heart and beauty. And then shared that same heart with us through your great writing too. Thank you Joe.
Joe you are an inspiration to many, Life are fortunate to have a photographer who is so humble and who has so much empathy with his subjects and their surroundings. You are one of our generations greatest photographers yet you hold your subjects in much higher esteem.
Hi Joe,
I’ve been a fan of your work (speedlight magic, pictures and stories) for a few years now. Starting to photograph more people that anything else also influenced by you (I think). This is a great story – not only sharing the sensation of working again for such an important and once glamorous magazine, but the human aspect is also great. I can only imagine the war stories and the bonds these guys still share. Keep these stories coming, they are an inspiration to us humble amateur photographers. And please consider coming to Brazil for some workshops, I think it is still missing from your globe-trotting experience. Thanks
Beautiful! I was raised on issues of LIFE and National Geographic. The pairings of great storytellers and great photographers shaped my world. There is something lost now that this is not a norm. I feel as if something is missing from what is out there now, or maybe it’s just nostalgia, longing for the days of lounging in my grandfather’s sunroom, bathed in light, both of us pouring over images and words about the world.
Thank you for sharing this.
Great Story Joe. Have a nice day.
Thank you for reminding us of a time that many would like to forget. Many monuments and memorials are beautiful works of stone, steel, bronze, and water that commemorate the lives of people and events. These works leave us thinking “That’s pretty” and “That’s nice.” The Wall is different. It has an emotional connection to a generation. It touches a nerve that is still sensitive after 40 years. From the images here, you found the nerve and captured that feel.
Congratulations for all you that have accomplished in life Joe.
Thank you Art….means a lot coming from you. Appreciate the kind words.
Great work Joe. The Wall is always a spot to return to when I am in DC. I know the WWII Memorial has also become very popular, and with the Angel flights done in October, where WWII veterans were flown escorted to DC were hugely successful. I heard that Bob Dole goes to the WWII Memorial every Saturday and meets with veterans. Great tributes.
Life was just that. I know Life.com still posts images and is a force in the digital world. My daughter interned in NYC one summer for it, working as a photo editor’s assistant, and it lead to her current position at NPR in social media and photo editing. She gets to look for great pictures every day.
I look forward to your blogs and your view of Life. Stay well. Hope to see you next week at PPE on Saturday.
Bill Bogle, Jr.
Compelling … both your captures and your writing!
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Thank you Joe.
Another great story Joe. Appreciate your perspective. Thank you for sharing.
Very cool Joe! Thank you for sharing this, it means more than you know.
Wonderful work. You’ve taken a cold stone wall, and given it life.
Thank you for your recollections…the shadow shot is very emotional and beautiful; and a very fitting tribute.
George.
Dear Mr. McNally,
Your work on this story is absolutely incredible. I am a photojournalism student at Biola University in La Mirada, California and the photos that you produce are very inspiring to me. For this story in particular, I appreciate how you approached the assignment with humility. It is great to hear that a photographer like you, with much experience in the field is still able to photograph people that they look up to.
I also enjoyed how you told the story of the shoot. As a photographer, I am curious to see how photographers interact with their coworkers and their subjects. You talked about essential it is for a photographer and writer to work together on a story and I could not agree more. Also, seeing how you set up the last photograph with all of the Veterans was insightful for me. They way you had the Veterans assist you with taking the photo helps me to understand what a relationship with a subject should look like.
Your blog is helping me grow as a photographer and I cannot wait to learn more!
Another great post on an important subject, thanks Joe.
I really love the silhouette shot. As a former Marine who served in the Gulf War I truly appreciate your passion and dedication to our military members. Thanks Joe.
Thank you Joe for such inspirational shooting and writing. You’re a true shooter.
Joe,
Wonderful tribute. I was a young surgeon completing training when the POWs from Viet Nam were repatriated. Had the honor of caring for some. Later, I had a former POW as a commanding officer on an aircraft carrier. Their stories, their sacrifices and their life-changing encounters, to this day, in my humble opinion, are under appreciated. It was an honor to be associated with them.
Jim Hurst (Doc)
Wonderful story, thanks for sharing it.
Joe,
Just want to say thank you for this. My Dad served in Viet Nam, and the fact that You did this work to recognize this generation has many touch points for me. Beautifully done. And particularly thank you for your generous, compassionate treatment of all those who serve.
A true inspiration.
Great story!
Hi Joe,
Wonderful writeup and fantastic images. I had a quick question about the panoramic film camera you used. Was it a hasselblad xpan? Or are you using something else.
Thanks,
Dominic