The cover photo of the book "Salt & Truth" by the photographer Shelby Lee Adams immediately struck me.
What really struck me in this picture was the honesty reflected in the eyes and surroundings of this man. Shelby Lee Adams is an American photographer most well known as a photographer of Appalachia, although he has photographed all over the world. As a native of the "holler", Johnson's Fork in Letcher County, Hazard, Kentucky, Adams finds himself drawn by his roots in his photography. The thing that struck me both in his essay describing his roots of inspiration as well as in his photography, is truth. Adams strives to photograph who his subjects are, in a way that they feel comfortable allowing him into their lives as well as in a way that reflects himself, the photographer, in their eyes. The photographs are very real; they are reflections of the subject's characters, as they perceive themselves.
As I noted in my last blog entry, lately I've been thinking a lot about my perception of myself. What makes me Natalie? What are those core values which are so integral to me being me? Why are those things important to me? How do others view me? More importantly, how does God view me? How does my perception of what other people think of me change who I am? And, how do I live so that the true Natalie is honestly reflected on my countenance?
Two random quotes in the photo essay which really stood out to me:
- "Gratitude bestow reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." -John Milton
- "Compassion is not a religious business, it is a human business, it is not a luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability, it is essential for human survival." -Dalai Lama
For anyone who's interested in seeing a few more of Adams' photography: http://www.edelmangallery.com/adams.htm
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