Imagine a city teetering on the edge of chaos, where gangsters ruled the streets, riots erupted, and skyscrapers pierced the sky. This was early 20th-century Chicago, a world captured with unflinching honesty by Jun Fujita, a Japanese-American photojournalist whose lens became a time capsule of a tumultuous era. But here's where it gets controversial: Fujita wasn't just a passive observer; he was a man who dared to photograph Al Capone, the most notorious gangster of his time, even capturing the moment Capone was shot. This act of courage, or perhaps recklessness, raises questions about the role of the journalist in dangerous times. Is it enough to simply document, or does the camera become a weapon in itself? Fujita's story, explored in Graham Harrison Lee's captivating book Behind the Camera (published by Hat & Beard Press: https://hatandbeard.com/products/fujita-behind-the-camera), delves into the life of this multifaceted artist, poet, and journalist. Beyond the grit and glamour of gangster-era Chicago, Fujita's work also chronicles the city's transformation through construction, its struggles with social unrest, and the everyday lives of its citizens. An accompanying exhibition, planned for Los Angeles next year, promises to bring Fujita's powerful images to a new generation, sparking conversations about history, journalism, and the enduring power of photography. As we examine Fujita's legacy, we're left with a lingering question: In a world where truth is often contested, do images like his hold more power than words? (Sarah Gilbert: https://www.theguardian.com/profile/sarahgilbert, Sun 9 Nov 2025 07.00 GMT)
