In '38, this time I did a job for Mr. Stryker. I went on his payroll at about half the salary I was getting before, to cover what he called Harvest in Ohio. Ben Shahn callcoverhalf Change image and share on social
I remember traveling around in Arkansas with Senator Robinson, and I told him what this little trick was. He felt very much part of it and had me take pictures of people unbeknownst to them. Ben Shahn arkansasfeltpart Change image and share on social
Now, when I came on to Washington to begin my job, I was so interested in photography at that time that I really would have preferred to work with Stryker than with my department, which was more artistic if you wish. Ben Shahn artisticbegindepartment share on social
So, I was offered this job to come down there but first it was suggested that I take a trip around the country in the areas in which we worked to see what it's all about, and I tell you that was a revelation to me. Ben Shahn areacountryjob share on social
I confess that Roy was a little bit dictatorial in his editing and he ruined quite a number of my pictures, which he stopped doing later. He used to punch a hole through a negative. Some of them were incredibly valuable. He didn't understand at the time. Ben Shahn biteconfessdictatorial share on social
Of course I realize that photography is not the technical facility as much as it is the eye, and this decision that one makes for the moment at which you are going to snap, you know. Ben Shahn decisioneyefacility Change image and share on social
It's pretty hard to measure influence of written or visual material. Ben Shahn hardinfluencematerial Change image and share on social
I did take my camera along, as I felt there wouldn't be enough time to draw the things I wanted to do. I did some drawing and did a lot of photography but I was not part of Stryker's outfit at all. Ben Shahn cameradrawfelt Change image and share on social
I didn't care where my works were published. Ben Shahn carepublishwork Change image and share on social
It used to be twelve people crowded around a sewing table; now it's ten. Ben Shahn crowdpeoplesew Change image and share on social