The Gorgeous South and its Lost Heritage
Past photographers hung photographs in art galleries to inspire people to fix the South. I want to create a book of photographs that honor and share the untold stories and beauty of the rural South with the world and give copies back to the
families that shared them with me.
We are quick to label those who cannot afford a white collar education, especially those from the rural South, as unintelligent. Underprivileged Southern people are some of the smartest and most beautiful I have ever met. Though they may not be materially blessed they have a wealth of experiences to offer.
I will travel to Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, North and South Carolina and Mississippi photographing the forgotten and overlooked while listening to their stories. The final product would be a book of these photographs matched with these stories. Putting it in book form is important to me because not everyone visits an art gallery or strolls through a museum. Books are accessible to everyone regardless of their location or economic status.
Born in a small town in the Carolinas I grew up in the thick of the South. A year ago I began photographing a small Southern flea market as a project for my color photo class. Doing so helped me not only capture their culture but re-embrace my own.
The money would not going to expensive hotels and plane flights but rather to promote the lost stories of the underprivileged South with the rest of the world.
52 Comments
This is a great Idea! Check mine out too and if you like it...return the vote! Mine is about exposing a fatal conflict taking place in the Congo.
This is a wonderful idea! The South and her people are a truly misunderstood and stereo typed region. The people and their story told in photos {a picture is worth a thousand words!} could and will be an inspiration for us all in these troubling times!
Wonderful idea. Being from the south,same as you,i've been hit by the sterotype. I respect you trying to break it for all of us
I know that if you win, the money will be going to the right place, rather than to expensive travel and hotels. The project seems to really means something to this girl. She is not merely sight-seeeing.
I think this is a noble goal, and indicative of a truly compassionate artist. She will have no trouble getting people to be themselves in front of her camera, because it is obvious that she is genuinely interested and caring.
Great idea and I would really like a copy of the book!
Vic
Kudo's. your a beutiful person with a beutiful heart and there should be more people in this world with a heart like your's!
This is incredibly original!
Hey - Fantastic idea!
You've got my vote ... Will you check mine out and give me a vote? Hang in there!
Keep shooting ... D
I love this!
Amazing dream! Best of luck and you have my "PIC" - please check out my dream of furthering peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs in the Middle East. Thanks!!
Thanks everyone!!! I will check out all of your dreams!
This is such a great idea, Jessica! I hope you do well!
Thanks darling!
This is an awesome idea! Good luck! (:
I hope and pray you win! I spend most of my photo time taking pictures of wild areas and structures in the deep South that are in danger of disappearing. With your eye for the perfect shot, and your sweet heart, I can only imagine how incredible this project will turn out. Best of luck, Jess
Aw!! Thank you guys for taking the time to support me!
Sounds amazing! I can really visualize this one! good luck Jessica... if you'd like check mine out -- it's about photographing the 9 disappearing islands and people of Tuvalu!
Absolutely sweetie! Good luck to you as well. I'm heading over to your page right now!
JESSICA THIS IS A VERY RESPECTABLE THING YOUR DOING AND I SUPPORT YOU 100%
KEEP PURSUING YOUR DREAM AND NEVER STOP! YOU DESERVE THE BEST!
NATE
Thank you Nate!
Great idea! All to often, the people of the rural south gets a bad rap. Share their life experience through your photography and the world will see true wisdom and the beauty these folks bring to the world
I'm glad you like it :]
I like your dream very much so, and I would be thrilled to know that your dream was fulfilled.
Best wishes of luck to you Miss Canady.
Think and Wonder and Dream far and wide as you do dare!
What a great idea! Good luck. All of us in Wilmington miss you! Hope to see you soon.
your the greatest
your grandpa sayes good job
Thanks everyone!!!!
I'm from Texas myself. Long family history in the state too- I ADORE your idea! I too would love a copy of the work when finished!
I voted from Mobile County, Alabama...good luck!
Nice idea. I pic'd your dream. Please check out my dream assignment and comment/vote. thanks.
This is a real good idea and I am glad that you told me about it yesterday at work and if you need my help for real just let me know and you will have my support.
Great idea Jess!! Can't wait to see the finished product. I completely agree with your statement, "Underprivileged Southern people are some of the smartest and most beautiful I have ever met." GOOD LUCK!!
The South is Gorgeous !!!! Can't wait to see the pic & the stories of the South
and it's Heritage. Maybe this will wake people up to smell the coffee.
Good Luck!!
I want to someday travel deep in the south. Voted.
Check out my project on innovation and technology as change for the developing world and my portfolio here: http://maclellanimages.com/blog1/galleries/
Lovely Idea You Have My Vote!
The best idea on the site! I really hope you win!!!
youre all lame
jk
yeah its a pretty nice idea
even if you dont win you should do it anyways
This is great Jessica, I hope you get it. Let me know if you need an assistant. :-)
I think this is a great idea and I am behind you all the way in what ever way necesary
You are all wonderful!!! Thank you so much for the support!!!
I DID IT!!!! Good luck Jessica!
I hope you get it... GOOD LUCK!
Photo-Mom really likes the idea! thinks you sound like a person with talent and an appreciation for some things Photo-Mom appreciates - b
I voted for you. Good luck.
Good Luck, Jessica!
This is a really great idea, and I hope that you are able to photograph your dream. (:
Your idea sounds good, the judges will like yours if you reach the final.
the judges are mostly documentary photographers which is not to my favour.. coz my project is conceptual. I really believe in my project but i don't think it'll do well with the judges.
anyway.. good luck
Jessica, this is a great idea! I don't know how anyone could represent the south better than you and your project. Kudos and good luck!!
Pappy just voted for you!! Hope you win. Go, Girl!!
I like your idea, check out mine and vote for me if you like it. Its about poverty and society in 3rd world countries and how they are controlled, devastated by their governments and western industrialized nations.
What a great look at people as people. Expressions, faces, and environments would make this a great shoot. Take a look at some of the many fantastic dreams other people have and vote for the ones you like best. If you leave a comment, they can link back to your dream. You have my vote; good luck!