About

Joel Bluming was sent to Vietnam in 1966 where he served as a dentist in the field units near Saigon, the village of Cu Chi, and later in the city of Tai Ninh, near the Cambodian border.

In addition to assisting American soldiers, Bluming volunteered to provide dental care for Vietnamese citizens. In doing so, he was able to befriend local people and document their lives with his camera.

Joel began his formal study of photography beginning in 1976 at New School, Parson's School of Design, New York University, and the International Center of Photography. He studied with many noted photographers including Phillipe Halsman, Fred Picker, Lucien Clergue, to name a few.

He was influenced mostly by Lucien Clergue, and got involved with his work through the New School. He joined his Recontre De Le Photographie workshops in the south of France, in Arles, for several summers.

Joel currently resides in Vermont.