5 to Inspire: Contemporary Southern Photographers

I'm a huge fan of Southern photography, drawn in by artists who manage to capture and distill the fleeting mystery and beauty that dance around the edges of life here, whether in a landscape or a portrait of wrinkled hands or children playing. It's an idealized viewpoint, I realize, but my love for the South has always been characterized more by a sense of longing than reality.

At night, when I need to step away from the day, I like to look at photographs. Black and white imagery speaks to me. In fact, it is the only way that I'm able to truly see. Color simply distracts me. In those moments of absorbing beauty and long forgotten stories, I can hear the faint buzz of a fading lightbulb, the cicadas in the distance, the air hanging heavy and sweet with the smell of jasmine, fire, earth, and water. I am drawn to images that are dark around the edges, untold tales lurking in the shadows. I am drawn to fire and light, faces of character, the pasttimes of youth. In those moments, held aloft in the capable hands of magical creators, I fall in love with the South over and over again. 

 

DAVID C HALLIDAY:

 

 

 

 See more of David Halliday's work here.

 

 

JACK SPENCER:

See more of Jack Spencer's work here.

KEITH CARTER:

 

 

See more of Keith Carter's work here.

 

 

DEBBIE FLEMING CAFFERY:

 

 

See more of Debbie Fleming Caffery's work here.

 

 

SALLY MANN:

 

 

See more of Sally Mann's work here

Comments

[teresa granath]

Oh Suzonne, I'm so glad you shared these! I know Jack personally as he lives here in Nashville. I've met a couple of the others on your list too. All great and inspiring! :)