"A Letter from Japan: The Photographs of John Swope" is on display at the Hammer Museum until June 4. All the photos are black-and-white images shot in 1945 after the occupation of Japan by American forces. The photographs are a moving look at Japan just days after World War II ended. They show what happened to the country during the course of the war, but more than that, they show the faces of a people ravaged by war. .

             Each of these prints is a gelatin silver print, and each one shows the photographer's understanding and sympathy toward his subject. His photo of the bombed out ruins of Hamamatsu show the horror of war, but they also show a people ready to get on with their lives. The city lies in ruins around them, but they go about the business of living. One woman, in another photo, walks among the ruins with a parasol and her baby strapped upon her back. The symbolism here is quite clear. Although Japan surrendered, her people are strong and life will go on.

             All of the photos show unsmiling, war-torn faces. Swope's camera caught the Japanese at the worst time in their lives, and it shows in their faces. They are fatigued, sad, and even full of hate, as the photo titled "Shinagawa" clearly shows. The subject glares down at the camera with pure animosity in his features. It is clear that at least some of the Japanese did not want to admit defeat, no matter how inevitable it was. These photos of Japan at her weakest are important works and viewing them up close not only shows the detail Swope strived for, but also the heart of the photographer. He captures his subjects with great clarity and attention to light, shadow, and demeanor. Each photo shows not only a person and their pain, it shows the intricacies of daily life in Japan. The family holding a tea ceremony in their home is attempting to bring normalcy to a world in chaos. Swope's photos do the same thing. They attempt to share the Japanese people with the world, and show that they are not all bad, as many clearly thought.