Title: The Picture Taker
MPAA Rating: Not Yet Rated
Director: Phil Bertelsen
Runtime: 1 hr 20 mins

What It Is: In the Civil Rights Era, Ernest Withers would be found avidly taking photographs that capture people, emotion, and history with great detail and intimacy. Though he was known to many as a man obsessed with his passion and would work non-stop, questions arise as to how he was able to afford to travel all over the country wherever there are important events involving black Americans, including Emmet Till’s funeral, riots, or following around Martin Luther King. Withers was ultimately revealed as an FBI informant, told to look out for Communist activity when really the American government wanted to keep tabs on Civil Rights movements and the groups who participated in them. Though Withers is a bit of a controversial figure due to his standing with the FBI, many maintain that Withers did so out of the interest of merely taking as many pictures as he could, as he is first and foremost a dedicated photographer who recorded incredible moments in history.

What We Think: This documentary was FASCINATING, and a great addition to your Black History Month watchlist. I learned a lot about the time period and it’s magical getting to see Wither’s photos, which are all legitimately exciting to see, seeing that they’re packed with story. One of my favorites of his was a picture of a suitcase–MLK’s suitcase! His photos humanize his subjects, showing involvement worthy of representing the time period. Although he did technically play sides, it did seem he was genuinely manipulated in a familiar, Patriot Act sort of way, where our government took advantage of his drive and skills in order to try and collect information and keep tabs. The information provided by those who knew him and of him provides more explanation on the context of historical events and the pictures than the man himself, so there’s still quite a bit of mystery about him, but the part he played in the time and in the bigger picture leaves a lot to think about and connect.

Our Grade: B, A refreshing PBS feature that forces you to realize that the theatrics of a Netflix documentary never actually cut it–The Picture Taker is a quintessential watch for those looking to go more in-depth with their understanding and knowledge of the Civil Rights Era, and how it still mirrors the conditions of our society today. Presented with care and with nuance, it’s a quick hour packed with stories and accounts that deserve to be heard, remembered, and memorialized. You learn with certainty that Withers was definitely the man to capture both the conflict and comradery of the time.