© Joan Miller
L'agence Magnum Photos a annoncé mercredi 22 mai, le décès du photographe américain Wayne Miller (1918-2013), à l'âge de 94 ans.
Membre de l'agence depuis 1958, Wayne Miller a commencé au sein de l'unité de photographes de la Navy, basé dans le Pacifique, lors de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Il fut l'un des premiers photographes à immortaliser la ville d'Hiroshima après la bombe atomique.
Il s'est ensuite penché sur Chicago, sa ville d'origine et notamment sur l'arrivée des familles noires américaines dans les années 1950. Se focalisant sur le sud de la ville, Wayne Miller photographie le quotidien de ces familles immigrées.
© Wayne Miller/Magnum Photos
“The first time I met Wayne Miller I was surprised to see a white man. Having known his legendary pictures of the Southside of Chicago for so long, I had always imagined the man to be black. He paved the ground for the rest of us who tried to depict the streets, the real life. He was a pioneer. Only recently, I learned that he served in the navy as a photographer in WWII, and then a contract photographer for LIFE. It might have seemed like golden years for photographers now, but he had to invent himself in many ways, a character trait I highly appreciate in people. With the utmost respect and great sorrow I have to say goodbye to a master I was so fortunate to meet, even if it was only on a few occasions.”
Alex Majoli, Président de Magnum Photos