Eugene Smith documented, using photos, the serious and devastating effects that Minamata disease had on the residents on Minamata Japan. Smith was able to use his photos to show viewers the negative impacts of the polluted water that the residents of Minamata were surrounded by. I think this is a clear example of a photo being more telling and more powerful than any words could be. It would obviously elicit some negative emotions to have to read about Tomoko and the other people impacted by Minamata disease but seeing this pictures and the many other pictures from Eugene Smith, elicits much more sadness for them and anger toward the chemical company that did this to them. These photos played a major role in bringing justice to the people impacted by holding the chemical company responsible. This is obviously a very sad scenario but I do find it interesting and almost reassuring how much power photography can have in motivating people to stand up for others and fight rights of people who are sometimes unable to fight for themselves.
Smith, Eugene. Tomoko Uemura in Her Bath. Minamata Japan. 1971
Industrial water pollution continues to be a problem and images like this motivate activism to promote change.