Deaths in the Family

...If you accept, as I do, the notion that the far-flung society of Photo-Dawgs (those who love photography and are devoted to it) comprises a sprawling extended family.

Evelyn and Jim Hughes, 1982. Photo by Bill Jay.

I'm extremely sorry to report that our friend Jim Hughes died on the afternoon of the Tuesday before Christmas. Jim was the editor of the original Camera Arts magazine, the best photography magazine I'm familiar with, and he was the biographer of W. Eugene Smith. But those two twin peaks of his accomplishment are only the tip of the iceberg. Jim knew a little bit about everything and a lot about a lot—he was a student and a scholar of photography, and he had a great mind and a great memory. And he was a photographer. He was also my onetime hero, my role model as an editor. I didn't come close to measuring up; he was brilliant at it. We later became friends, and although he could be irascible and I suspect that occasionally he didn't like me very much (I can be difficult too), I loved and admired Jim always. He was principled and insightful and endlessly knowledgeable. His passing creates a void. You can find his many writings for TOP under his name in the Categories in the right-hand sidebar. His wife Evelyn Hughes survives him.

Michael A. Smith

Another huge loss: friend of TOP Michael A. Smith has passed away; I don't know when, but recently. Michael was a force of nature, an independent spirit with a devotion to quality and bounteous energy for following through. When Kodak stopped making his favorite photo paper, he undertook to manufacture a replacement; when he couldn't find anyone to publish his books to the level of quality he demanded, he learned how to do it himself, and started his own publishing house. He called it Lodima, which is the word "amidol," his and Edward Weston's favorite paper developer, spelled backwards. We worked with him several times; we offered the superlative Edward Weston book he published, and we offered contact prints of his work in a husband-and-wife print sale in 2012. Here's another article I wrote about him. He is survived by his wife, the photographer and artist Paula Chamlee.

Neither was a close personal friend, although I met both in person and we emailed and spoke on the phone occasionally for years. But I knew them in that way you know people in your own field—through their work, through our common interest, through my appreciation for them. I have taken both these losses hard, and procrastinated madly over writing this post. It makes me very sad they're gone. Sincere condolences to Evelyn and Paula, and all the friends and loved ones of these fine men. They are deeply and sorely mourned and missed.

Mike

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(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Geoff Wittig: "Sad news indeed. Michael A. Smith's beautiful panoramic print of a Tuscan village graces my library wall, as do multiple Lodima books. And Mr. Hughes' crackling intelligence came through bright and clear in his admirably pithy essays."

Bill Bresler: "Jim Hughes and his work shaped how I see photography."

Kenneth Tanaka: "I’m very sorry to read of Jim’s death. I very much enjoyed his occasional articles and comments here. He seemed like the kind of fellow I would have enjoyed spending an afternoon with.

"I was also sad to learn of Michael Smith’s death. He was a fellow who I did spend an afternoon with some years ago (perhaps thanks to a connection you made?). Michael, and Paula Chamlee, visited a tiny bygone photo group of which I was a member, ostensibly to talk about book publishing and production. But as the afternoon progressed through lunch Michael and Paula were extremely engaging and informative on a broad range of photo subjects. It’s always fun to be with people who are so relentlessly enthusiastic on their field...and that’s exactly what they were!

"I have two oddly indelible memories of that day. The first was buying my copy of Edward Weston: Life Work from Michael at a slight discount, as he wanted to lighten his traveling load. (And that book is a load.). The second is my memory of the old white van Michael and Paula were driving cross-country. As veterans of the road they had clearly learned that security takes precedence over style on long-distance photo trips. Opening the back doors of that van was a feat that Brinks would have admired!

"My deepest sympathies to Paula Chamlee and to Evelyn Hughes."

Comments

[Michael Perini]

Two Huge losses, - Makes me very sad.
I've been reading things that Jim wrote or edited for a very long time, and I am better for having read them.
I just purchased Michael's latest book, and as you point out, the quality is amazing.
As I get older I take this kind of news harder-- for obvious reasons , but also take heart from their strong examples. They were both interested and interesting Photographers to their core.

[Dave Jenkins]

I am very much saddened to hear of the passiing of Jim Hughes. He and I had a sporadic e-mail friendship for several years. I agree with you that Camera 35 was the best of the best, and as an inveterate photo magazine collector, I was able to sell Jim a considerable number of issues to fill the holes in his collection of the magazine from his editing days.

Jim and I were also united in our devotion to our wives and to the quirky/loveable Fuji X-Pro1 with 40mm-equivalent lenses. His was an adapted Nikkor 28 and mine the Fuji 27.

[Jim Metzger]

So sorry to hear about Jim Hughes. I still have a few issues of Camera Arts in my "to good to get rid of" pile. I wish I had more of them.

After a childhood of Popular Photography and Modern Photography it was inspiring and refreshing to read about "photography" and not just pour over equipment specs.

I started reading American Photographer about that time and it was pretty good but not at Camera Arts Level. When CA folded they morphed my remain subscription into American Photographer and it seems that not long after AP became People Magazine for photographers.

Mike I do have a request for your followers, I believe there was a gentleman who did critiques most every month in CA and I can't for the life of me remember his name. It was somewhat unusual. HIs writing style required a dictionary at the ready otherwise it was impossible (for me) to get the meaning of his review.

God Speed Jim and Michael. You enriched many lives.

[Ben Rosengart]

I am sorry for your losses, Mike.

[Jim]

Two simple and beautiful eulogies. Thank you.

[Michael Mejia]

We, who carry the memories, are disappearing.

[MikeR]

Mike,
I looked for an obit for Michael A. Smith in the Doylestown PA newspaper after I received the email (which I also forwarded to you). Now that most of the holiday chaos is behind us, I should try again. (Coincidentally, MAS and I shared a birth year, and a history of growing up in Philadelphia.)

Here is the email from November 27th:

"Fyi, in case you are not on their mailing list.

"I bought one of Paula's prints via a TOP sale, and met both Michael and Paula at their home/studio. I learned that he also came from Philly, and probably would have chatted a bit longer had not a timer gone off in his darkroom.

Mike

"---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: LODIMA
Date: Tue, Nov 27, 2018, 18:52
Subject: Michael A. Smith: 1942–2018
To:

"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of a true visionary, Michael A. Smith, Founder of Lodima Press.

"Michael's passion for making, promoting, and teaching photography remained sincere and strong throughout his more than 50-year career as a leading figure in fine-art photography. As a result, Michael was known internationally as a brilliant photographer and as an extraordinary teacher, theorist, critic, and publisher. No matter which hat he wore at any given time, Michael never tired of giving his time, knowledge, and passion to the visual arts.

"Moreover, Michael always dreamed big. His greatest dream (indeed, his ultimate dream) was to continue giving back to the world of photography—a world that had given him so much success, sense of purpose, and simple joy. In particular, Michael wanted to give back by fostering scholarship, organizing exhibitions, and advocating appreciation, not only in photography but also to allied areas of the visual arts.

"Before his passing and, most movingly, since then, many people around the world who knew Michael, his work, and his mission have asked what they can do to make the dream come true. If you feel motivated to contribute to that essential effort, please make a donation to Arts of Our Time, the not-for-profit organization that Michael founded in 2003. By contributing, you will enable Paula Chamlee, his wife, partner in the arts, and AOT co-founder, to honor Michael's memory, ensure his legacy, and keep his dream alive for the benefit of future generations of visual artists as well as for the many people who care deeply about the arts.

"A memorial service is being planned at the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown to celebrate his life and work. The date is yet to be determined, but will take place sometime after the holidays."

[Dave Van de Mark]

I appreciated your comments about the two men you admired and can truly understand your emotions. They indeed will be missed.

Regarding the picture of Michael A. Smith, it reminds me of my youthful days of carrying 40lbs of Hasselblad gear and tripods to the tops of mountains. Surprised most of us didn’t die doing that rather than living to experience “humanely” light cameras!

[MikeR]

Here is the Lodima website, with the announcement:
https://www.lodima.org/

Also, I could not find anything on the Michener Museum site, which is,
https://www.michenerartmuseum.org/

[Sharon]

Mike, I’m very sorry for your loss. To lose two friends at once is horrible. I lost someone very close to me this year. I still can't believe it. I wish you peace.

Sharon

[Rod S.]

I learned of Michael's passing from the Lodima announcement of November 20 on Facebook while in the midst of travelling and photographing with my 4x5 Toyo. The sadness reverberated for several days. I regret never meeting him.

I have greatly appreciated the articles by Jim Hughes on TOP, and on one occasion had the fun of reading his reply to my Featured Comment in which I recalled his interview with Dennis Stock in 1978. Jim Hughes was a reservoir of memories and experiences and his writing was always informative and enjoyable. Thank you for bringing him to us here on TOP.

[Jim]

More than a decade before the birth of the public internet, Camera Arts was a wellspring of photographic inspiration. Wonderful eulogies.

[Larry Kellogg]

Sad news, indeed. May they both rest in peace. Hughes’ biography of W Eugene Smith is amazing.

[Earl Dunbar]

These are two absolutely huge losses to our family.

[Hugh Conacher]

I was very sad to hear of the death of Michael A. Smith, whose photos, along with those of his wife, Paula Chamlee (purchased from you), adorn my dining room walls. I see them every day and examine them almost as often.

[Jeff]

Very sorry to hear the news regarding both terrific people. Deepest sympathy.

On a far less important note, your 2013 article referenced Edward Weston's black finger nails due to the use of Amidol. It was, in fact, a family (Edward, Brett and Kim) trait...

https://www.kimweston.com/weston-photography-news/weston-photography-focusing-in-edwards-fingernails

[Hans Muus]

Mike, I am very sorry for your losses, my sincere condolences. Thanks to TOP I have had the great pleasure to get into contact with Jim. In a piece he wrote for TOP a number of years ago, Jim mentioned the Dutch experimental ('beat' if you will) and some say quite obnoxious Dutch photographer Sanne Sannes (1937-1967), who was a photographic hero of mine in my youth. Jim had even met Sannes in the States in the early sixties. At the time of Jim's TOP post, a documentary on Sannes had been broadcasted on Dutch televsion. I told Jim about it and send him the link. Jim was very interested, so I more or less translated the spoken commentary for him (as these things go, a proposal more easily made than fullfillled, but great fun nevertheless). Jim's knowledge and the very kind way in which he shared his enthousiasm with me, are a very dear memory of mine to this day.

[Richard G]

Through TOP I bought the Weston book and noticed with pleasure the long piece on Michael A Smith and by him in f11, sadly now closed but still available online. https://issuu.com/f11magazine/docs/issue51-february2016?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222. Thet issue has an equally impressive piece on his wife. Many things said by both of them resonate with me more than almost anything else I've read by photographers. One pithy conclusion of MA Smith's, apropos his using the view cameras he liked: "Artists are more interested in making things than things made."

[Daniel]

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?149108-Michael-A-Smith-has-passed-away

A link to the notice posted on the Large Format Home Page.
Michael was a polarizing figure with talent, drive and images to back it up. If anything, his wife Paula is an even better photographer. It falls on her to continue the business and legacy. She is up to it. Texas tough and beauty queen beautiful, she was a great match for Michael. Two great talents working as a team, pushing each other for creative vision and fine images.

[Bandbox]

I'm sorry to hear about Jim Hughes's death. I think he lived here, in Camden ME, but I haven't seen a death notice or obituary for him in any of the Maine papers.

[David Murray]

Yet our memories endure and though we miss them terribly, our thoughts turn to them day after day. Their passing encourages us to seek out others to know and befriend and to learn from.