David "Chim" Seymour: The Concerned Eye
Introduction
David Seymour (1911–1956), affectionately known as "Chim," was a founding father of modern photojournalism and a co-founder of Magnum Photos alongside Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Capa. Born in Warsaw, Chim was the intellectual heart of the group, known for his compassionate and deeply humanistic approach to photography.
His work is most famous for documenting the devastating effects of the Spanish Civil War and the plight of "Children of Europe" following World War II. Chim’s photography was never about the spectacle of violence; instead, it focused on the quiet resilience of those left in its wake. A master of the "concerned photograph," he used his lens to advocate for social justice and humanitarian aid until his untimely death while covering the Suez Crisis.
Camera Gear Used by David Seymour
Cameras
Leica III series – Like his Magnum peers, Chim was a devotee of the Leica rangefinder. During the 1930s and 40s, he relied on the Leica III for its extreme portability and silence, which allowed him to photograph sensitive social situations without intrusion.
Leica M3 – Toward the end of his life in the 1950s, Chim transitioned to the Leica M3. He prized the new bright-line viewfinder, which helped him compose his humanistic portraits with greater precision.
Rolleiflex Automat – While primarily a 35mm shooter, Chim utilized the twin-lens reflex Rolleiflex for specific assignments requiring the higher detail of medium format, particularly when shooting color for magazines like Holiday.
Lenses
35mm f/3.5 Elmar – His most utilized lens during the Spanish Civil War. The wide field of view was essential for capturing the relationship between displaced individuals and their environment.
50mm f/2 Summar / Summicron – Used for his intimate portraiture, including his heart-wrenching series on orphaned children. This focal length allowed him to maintain a respectful distance while capturing intense emotional expressions.
90mm Elmar – Occasionally used for tighter portraits or when he needed to isolate subjects in crowded refugee camps.
Film & Printing
Kodak Tri-X – The standard for his black-and-white reportage, providing the necessary speed to shoot in low-light interiors of schools and hospitals.
Kodachrome – Chim was a pioneer in using color film for serious reportage, documenting the rebuilding of Europe and portraits of celebrities like Ingrid Bergman and Audrey Hepburn with a sophisticated color palette.
Silver Gelatin Prints – Chim’s prints were often characterized by a softer contrast than Capa’s, reflecting his more contemplative and gentle photographic style.
Technique & Style
David Seymour’s style is defined by intimacy, empathy, and intellectual clarity. Unlike the "war photographer" archetype, Chim’s work is marked by a stillness and a focus on the eyes of his subjects. He often positioned himself at eye level with children to capture their perspective of a broken world. His compositions were balanced and thoughtful, avoiding dramatic angles in favor of a direct, honest representation of reality. His ability to capture "the moment after" the tragedy made his work a powerful tool for humanitarian organizations like UNESCO and UNICEF.
How to Imitate His Style in Post Production
You can use Pixlr, a really powerful and cost-effective software, to emulate Chim’s signature look. Pixlr offers advanced editing tools, an intuitive interface, and cloud-based accessibility, making it ideal for both beginners and professionals. To recreate Chim’s style:
Soft Monochrome Conversion: Use the desaturation tool but keep the "Blacks" slightly lifted. Chim’s work often had a silvery, luminous quality rather than harsh, deep shadows.
Focus on Clarity in the Eyes: Use the "Sharpen" or "Clarity" brush specifically on the eyes of your subject to replicate his focus on human connection.
Subtle Film Grain: Add a fine layer of grain to provide that classic mid-century photojournalistic texture without making the image look "dirty."
Balance the Highlights: Chim often shot in soft, overcast light. Use the "Highlights" slider to bring down bright spots, ensuring a gentle tonal transition across the skin.
Vintage Color Toning: For color work, use the "Color Balance" tool to slightly mute the greens and enhance the warm reds and yellows, mimicking early Kodachrome characteristics.
How to Shoot Like David Seymour
Engage with Empathy – Before taking the photo, talk to your subjects or spend time in their environment. Chim’s photos feel intimate because he truly cared about the people he photographed.
Shoot at Eye Level – Especially when photographing children or people in vulnerable positions, physically lower yourself to their level to remove the sense of "the observer" and create a sense of "the participant."
Look for the Human Consequence – Instead of photographing the event itself, look for how the event affects the people involved. Capture the aftermath and the quiet moments of recovery.
Use Natural, Diffused Light – Seek out the soft light of windows or cloudy days. This lighting style supports the gentle, somber mood found in much of Chim’s documentary work.
Prioritize the Subject Over the Action – Don't chase the explosion or the fast movement. Look for the person standing still in the middle of it all; their expression will tell a deeper story.
Be an "Invisible" Photographer – Use a small camera and move slowly. The goal is to let life unfold naturally without the presence of the camera altering the scene.
Legacy
David Seymour’s legacy is the "concerned photograph." He proved that photojournalism could be more than just news; it could be a powerful instrument for social change and a voice for the voiceless. As a co-founder of Magnum, he helped establish the rights of photographers to own their own negatives, changing the industry forever. His work for UNICEF helped define the visual language of international aid, and his dedication to documenting the human condition continues to inspire photographers who believe that an image can, and should, make the world a better place.
Books Featuring David Seymour’s Work
Children of Europe (1949) – The seminal work documenting the psychological and physical scars of war on the youngest generation.
Chim: The Photographs of David Seymour (1996) – A comprehensive look at his career, from the Spanish Civil War to his final days in Suez.
Close Enough (2022) – A collaborative Magnum book exploring the intimacy and legacy of the agency’s founders.
We Went Back (2013) – A detailed look at his 1948 journey across Europe to document the postwar landscape.
Conclusion
David Seymour’s photography reminds us that the most powerful stories are often told in the quietest voices. By choosing to focus on the individual rather than the masses, and on dignity rather than despair, he created a body of work that is as emotionally resonant today as it was seventy years ago. Chim didn't just see with his eyes; he saw with his heart, leaving behind a visual legacy that challenges us to look at our fellow human beings with a deeper sense of compassion and responsibility.