All Available Light: The Life and Legacy of Photographer Ted Polumbaum

Ted Polumbaum was a young journalist during the Red Scare of the early 1950s who was fired, blacklisted, and trailed by the FBI. He survived with his integrity intact and built a new career as an intrepid photojournalist, covering some of the most critical struggles of the latter half of the 20th century. His photography reflected his courage in the face of mass hysteria and his commitment to social justice.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 158 pages
Publication date: 04 June 2021
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

Ted Polumbaum, a young journalist during the Red Scare of the early 1950s, bravely defied Congressional inquisitors and faced the inevitable consequences. He lost his job, was blacklisted, and was relentlessly pursued by the FBI. However, against all odds, he managed to survive with his integrity intact. This remarkable story is recounted in this biography, written two decades after his passing, by his daughter.

Polumbaum, a family man of the Greatest Generation, was a unique individual who was both of and ahead of his time. His unwavering fortitude, humor, and optimism were fueled by a strong conscience of principled dissidence and social activism. His photography, which captured the famous, infamous, and unsung heroes of humanity across the globe, showcased his courage in the face of mass hysteria and his lifelong commitment to social justice.

Born in 1915, Polumbaum grew up in a politically active family in Minnesota. He was a passionate advocate for civil rights and social justice from a young age. After graduating from college, he began his career as a journalist, covering the Korean War and other significant events of the 1950s.

However, it was during the Red Scare that Polumbaum's true courage was tested. He refused to cooperate with congressional investigators and was fired from his job. He was also blacklisted, making it difficult for him to find work in the media industry. Despite these setbacks, Polumbaum remained steadfast in his beliefs and continued to pursue his passion for journalism.

He started his own newspaper, the Minnesota Daily Star, which became a voice for the marginalized and oppressed. He also became involved in social activism, organizing protests and rallies for civil rights and labor rights. His fearless reporting and unwavering commitment to the truth earned him a reputation as a fearless journalist and a champion of social justice.

Polumbaum's photography was a testament to his courage and his commitment to social justice. His unpretentious portrayals of the famous, the infamous, and the unsung heroes of humanity around the world reflected his deep understanding of the human condition and his empathy for those who were suffering. His images captured the raw emotion of the struggles and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

In the years following the Red Scare, Polumbaum continued to work as a journalist and photojournalist, covering some of the most critical struggles of the latter half of the 20th century. He covered the civil rights movement in the United States, the Vietnam War, and the fall of the Soviet Union. His reporting and photography helped to shed light on the injustices and the struggles of the oppressed and marginalized.

Polumbaum's legacy is a testament to the power of journalism and social activism. He showed that even in the face of adversity, it is possible to stand up for what is right and to make a difference in the world. His courage, humor, and optimism continue to inspire generations of journalists and social activists, and his photography remains a powerful tool for documenting the human experience.

In conclusion, Ted Polumbaum's story is a remarkable testament to the power of courage, resilience, and social justice. His unwavering commitment to his beliefs and his passion for journalism and social activism helped to shape the course of history and to inspire generations to come. His photography, with its unpretentious portrayals of the famous, the infamous, and the unsung heroes of humanity, remains a powerful tool for documenting the human experience and for reminding us of the importance of standing up for what is right.

Weight: 385g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476686608