The Big Book

Liesl Bradner / Truthdig Mar 28, 2014 Photojournalist W. Eugene Smith brought worldwide attention to social injustice with his provocative photographs. In 1959 he began assembling a retrospective on what was then his life’s work, which has never been published, until now.In 1959, photojournalist W. Eugene Smith began assembling a retrospective on what was then his life’s work on social injustice. It has never been published, until now. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Why Olympic Profiteers Are Happy to Ignore Russia’s Gaybashing

Staff / Truthdig Dec 13, 2013 This week on Truthdig Radio in association with KPFK: Why the Sochi Olympics remind us of Berlin in 1936, The People's Pope is Time's man of the year, turning beauty advertising on its head, college football is big business, and immigration abuses. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Singing and Sidewalk Chalk Seen as New Threats to the Empire

BLANK Aug 30, 2013 Police continue their crackdown on protesters and photographers in Madison, Wis., including the videotaped violent arrest of a man taking pictures. Elsewhere, writing political protests in washable chalk is now a felony. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

One App’s Art Is Apple’s ‘Pornography’

Staff / Truthdig Jan 23, 2013 Apple's late CEO Steve Jobs once told an irritated blogger that the iPhone offered "freedom from porn," but what about freedom from artsy photography? Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Portraits of His People: A Tribute to Willie Middlebrook

Paul Von Blum / Truthdig May 22, 2012 Willie Middlebrook's untimely death at the age of 54 on May 4 brought an end to the work of one of the finest and most socially conscious artists of our times. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Obama Faked It for the Cameras

Staff / Truthdig May 6, 2011 There was just one camera in the room with President Obama when he announced the death of Osama bin Laden -- the one beaming his address to television. Afterward, a group of still photographers was let in and the president went through the motions, walking to the podium and pretending to speechify for 30 seconds. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Japan: Before and After

Staff / Truthdig Mar 15, 2011 These images aren't about disaster porn -- they are taken from too far a remove, first of all -- but rather, they show the scope of the devastation from last week's earthquake and tsunami in Japan in stunning before-and-after contrast. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

One-State Solution?

Staff / Truthdig Aug 10, 2010 Today on the list: Why academics are still flipping out about television, how Israeli conservatives may be pushing for a one-state solution, and the human brain's "Life of Brian" mechanism. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Marilyn Monroe and Two Kennedys, Captured in a Snap

Staff / Truthdig May 27, 2010 Given the scuttlebutt about Marilyn Monroe and the Kennedy brothers (well, two of them, anyway), not to mention the murder and conspiracy theories still circulating about her untimely death, it makes some sense that there'd be few, if any, candid images of the screen siren (continued) . Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sean Penn Charged in Scuffle With Photographer

Staff / Truthdig Feb 20, 2010 Sean Penn isn't known for being a shrinking violet, and he's drawn criticism and applause for taking public political stances on a wide range of topics. However, when Penn registered his displeasure with a photographer in L.A.'s tony Brentwood neighborhood last October, the actor allegedly took things to a physical level -- and now he's facing charges that may land him in jail. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Pictures of War You Aren’t Supposed to See

Chris Hedges / Truthdig Jan 4, 2010 The state and the press work hard to keep the reality of war hidden. We rarely see images that capture the evil of war, what it does to young minds and bodies.We rarely see images that capture the evil of war, what it does to young minds and bodies. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Annie Leibovitz Under Siege

Staff / Truthdig Sep 7, 2009 Annie Leibovitz may be the most famous portrait photographer in the world. According to one angry Italian, she's also a thief. Paolo Pizzetti is suing Leibovitz for allegedly using his photos in a calendar without permission. She's also on the hook for a $24-million loan and could lose the rights to her work. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )