W. Eugene Smith had such a strong impact with his series focusing on the victims of Minamata disease. He was only supposed to stay with the people so strongly effected by this disease for only a few weeks and instead stayed there for years, creating this body of work while living amongst them. The series gained a lot of following and traction. Not only did he publicize the problems faced by these people by creating his photo-essay, he also joined the victims in protesting events against the company that caused the mercury poisoning. While protesting, he was attacked and his face became the face of the movement for receiving aid for these people. His traction after the attack and his photographed gained traction and due to this the government became involved in the situation and the company had to pay money to the victims of their mistakes.
This is a good general summary of the events that unfolded during Smith’s three years onsite.