A. Aubrey Bodine's Legacy Captured in Fort Howard Veteran’s Hospital Photograph

The photograph of the first operation in the new 310-bed Veteran’s Hospital at Fort Howard in 1944 by A. Aubrey Bodine stands as a testament to his skill and the historical moment it captures. This image, part of a collection that cost $900,000 for the building alone, excluding equipment, is a significant piece of both medical and photographic history. Bodine, regarded as one of the finest pictorialists of the twentieth century, began his career in 1923, covering stories for the Baltimore Sunday Sun and creating documentary pictures that were not only informative but also artistic in design and lighting.

Bodine's work was recognized internationally, with his photographs exhibited in prestigious shows and museums, earning him top honors in competitions. His approach to photography was innovative, treating the camera and darkroom equipment as tools akin to a painter’s brush or sculptor’s chisel. Bodine's craftsmanship and willingness to experiment with techniques, such as adding clouds photographically or altering negatives to achieve the desired effect, set his work apart. He believed in making a picture, not just taking one, focusing on the mood, proportion, and design.

For those interested in exploring Bodine’s remarkable career, more than 6,000 photographs spanning 47 years are available for viewing on the website www.aaubreybodine.com. These images, including the Fort Howard Veteran’s Hospital photograph, can be ordered as reprints and note cards, offering a glimpse into Bodine’s artistic legacy and the historical moments he captured.