While a student at Harvard University he joined the University Players theatrical group that included Josh Logan, Henry Fonda and Jimmy Stewart. He later used photography to document the scenes behind the camera - the everyday within the Hollywood studios. This work was published in his classic book "Camera Over Hollywood" (Random House, 1939).
In 1945 he was assigned to a group of U.S. Navy photographers, under the direction of Edward Steichen, to document events of World War II to provide images for military and civilian publications. His most notable work consists of a short assignment of three-and-a-half weeks in Japan (August 28 - September 19, 1945) when he recorded the changes brought about by the war. This assignment and his emotional reactions to it he recorded in a 144-page letter to his wife Dorothy McGuire.
John Swope
Portraits
If you have a portrait of this photographer or know of the whereabouts of one we would be most grateful.
alan@luminous-lint.com
Genealogy of John Swope
If you are related to this photographer and interested in tracking down your extended family we can place a note here for you to help. It is free and you would be amazed who gets in touch.
