Sally Mann

I would like to begin this blog by sharing my favorite photographer (and artist in general), Sally Mann. It is a shockingly amazing coincidence that she was born- and continues to live- in the same state as me. This provides many embarrassing and ridiculously stalkerish opportunities for me to send her private mail and daydream about visiting her home.

She became rather (in)famous in the 1990's for her collection 'Immediate Family', which provided an intimate view of her families life in rural Virginia. Much to the overly conservative and paranoid parents dismay, there were images of her nude children! Despite the negative attention, her work was recognized and her career as a fine art photographer began. She continues to be a productive artist, having released her new series 'Proud Flesh' this past Fall.

In recent years she has been working with Collodion wet plates, a method most commonly used in photography of the 1850's. You can read more about the process here:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eastman/sfeature/wetplate_step1.html

Her most recent set of works was "Proud Flesh", a series of wet plate images of her husband. These last four images are from that set. I find all of her work challenging and inspiring and would like to know what others feel!

Please check out the documentary entitled "What Remains" for more information on her photography processes, and her personal philosophies! Here is a little preview: