W Eugene Smith 'Country Doctor' Life magazine-Kremmling Colorado- 1948- Slightly out of Focus

The Country Doctor photo essay was an intimate portrait of life and death in the a small rural town of Kremmling, Colorado. Ernest Ceriani was the doctor that Smith shadowed for 23 days, capturing the drama in everyday events in the small town. Smith achieved this extra- ordinary intimacy by, in his own words, "Fading into the wallpaper"

The assignment was not without it's problems, as Smith ignored Life Magazine's proposed images and strict deadlines, but the published essay became a benchmark for picture essays and photojournalism in the 1940's and 50's.