Sally Mann

Sally Mann was born and raised in Lexington, Virginia. She still resides and works there. Since the 1970's, the South has been a main theme in Mann's photography. She is best known for her Southern American landscapes and her intimate, evocative portraits of her family. She has experimented with color but finds that her niche is in black and white photography with its antique technology.

Sally Mann was named "America's Best Photographer" by Time magazine in 2001. In her work, Mann takes in mind the photographic process of each shot to create her photographs. Her newest series focuses on deep southern landscapes that are shot with broken cameras, some where she must use her own hand as the shutter. The series is a rugged look into the heart of the South that shows the development processes of the 19th century such as light leaks and scratches. Her photographs of her family are taken of everyday moments. They're simple yet they have undertones of larger themes such as the cultural perception of sexuality. Sally Mann's style and techniques have always been of interest to me. I love the thought she puts into such a simple image so that it tells a bigger story. The composition of each image is so carefree yet carefully thought about.