I was not raised in kentucty but I was raised poor in a very rich suburb of NJ.Poor is poor no matter where it is .We at many times had no water or plumbing.Many winters we suffered with no heat,leaks in the ceiling,and going to bed hungrey.The people of Kentucty should know this and relize it is not only in the mountains of teir home.Once you see this you know you are part of a very special club!

Every time I find pictures from Eastern Kentucky I fall all over myself to see if I recognize anyone or place. I was raised in Breathitt County--at Riverside, one of the mission schools throughout Eastern Ky (usually started by people from up north) Dan Cornett, my great, GG papaw, gave the first couple acres for the school on a promise his children attend there. They,and a host of mountain children who couldn't get to public schools, attended Riverside Christian Training School, at Lost Creek, Ky. Change always comes, but seems to hesitate at Eastern Ky's door....somewhere just after Daniel Boone Forest..and from stories grandma told, hesitation was probably smart. Daddy broke the coal mine, moonshine vocation callin most of the family males seemed pressed to follow. He went to college, seminary, got a Phd, and married a "foreigner from Indiana".(Grandma's words) Dad returned to run Riverside as "Dr. Barnett" and taught at various Eastern Ky colleges. I'm the eldest of seven and we lived on Riverside campus, & eventually moved to Maryland---and I search the net for where I rode bikes across swinging bridges, ran boats down flooded creeks,helped grandma & cousins plant & tend corn after Pappaw, Junebug, and Tommy Terry plowed with the mules. Where my 19 year old aunt, Ruth Ann, gut-shot herself with one of Pappaws pistols while he was in jail for murder or moonshining--forget which time it was. Grandma hid the guns in a different spot each day, but Ruthie knew where, and shot herself pushing it into her peddle pushers. She died that night as dad held her hand, and squeezed "yes" when he prayed "the sinner's prayer". Ruth Ann was laid out in grandma's house where the whole county paid respects the night before the funeral. Next day Pap was brought in chains from prison. That's not allowed anymore, but I remember him in chains at his daughter's funeral, with his son holding the service... at Riverside.

H, I was born in berea ky. I live in indiana now but miss ky. Could some one send me information on how I can help. I have a degree in community psychology and work as a drug and alcohol counselor. but i would love to do anything to help. Sincerely, Rhonda Burdette p.s. if anyone reads this and may know someone of my family i wildie, conway, and the surrounding area please contact me. thank you

I have just completed a new, 250 page book called "Celtic Indian Boy of Appalachia: A Scots Irish Cherokee Childhood." The following are excerpts from the book review, "Butch Walker tells his personal tale of two cultures...His roots are deeply planted in the mountains and valleys of the southern foothills of Appalachia...you are taken from the cotton fields, creek bottoms, and backwoods in a tale of heartache and adventure...You will feel his sting of a poverty driven area; you will cry at his heartaches; you will feel the pain of needs to be met; and you will laugh at the little joys that meant so much to him...stories are true and full of life; his struggles and trials were real...hillbilly,redneck, or just plain country; to him, the old ways and ways of the wild were just life, as it is, not retouched...you laugh, cry, feel the triumph, and the pain of a Celtic Indian boy growing up in...the lower Appalachian Mountains."

Poverty has become a bad word to so many. But I have to say that being poor and living in the project inside a town versus being poor and living in the country are not the same. Particularly in eastern KY. I was born and raised in central KY and know a whole lotta people from the mountains and Owsley county. There does seem to be a big stereotype. I wonder how many city people think the "Dukes" are from Hazard? There's a stereotype show for ya. But seriously, I was a poor kid just like those you see in Owsley county. I ran around with second hand clothes, playing in dirt and mud and was lucky to have a toy at all. I had to "create" fun any way I could. I learn to love and appreciate the outdoors and never took a thing for granted. There's a huge blessing in being poor if you're taught to not be selfish. And anyone who looks down on being poor is a sure sign of selfishness. That accounts to about the majority of the american population in this century. I betcha.

I lived in and went to college in Murray, KY back in the 80's. I have only visited parts of eastern KY. but, I found the folks to be honest, and forthright. i would love to return someday, and retire in the mountains. I'll always remember the extra good church services in Graves County. I will always have a love in my heart for the wonderful folks in KY. Hopefully, I can return someday, to live out the remainder of my days in "Home Sweet Home - Kentucky".

What strikes me is how the young people are sad, broken, ashamed, and the old people stronger, more content, often self reliant, and even proud of their heritage. I think it's because of their partial exposure to a world they think is looking down on them, theat tells them they don't matter. I used to know a girl who could take you on magical walks through the woods and show you where she used to pick blueberries as a girl, and tell stories of her great grandparents who had lived close by. Some times, I even felt as though I half way knew them. But if I lovingly called her a country girl, she'd get offended. I found this funny for someone I thought to be in many ways often smarter than I. Often, I would be put to this kind of test, where in I was supposed to proove I loved her. I noticed that whenever I mentioned anything about her relationship with her grandparetns, her freeness in nature, her knowledge in the garden, it was dismissed as though I were simply in love with a stereotype. This sensitivity (I believe somewhere there must be a better word) made me sad, as I really did love her and thought many of the aspects I wasn't aloud to cherish were indeed a rarity in our generation.... I try not to idealized the past, and certainly not poverty. But I have noticed a lot of people in our time suffer from poverty of the spirit.... Not a day goes by that I don't think of her. Truly, often not a hour.

I was born and raised in Eastern Kenutcky and have lived in alot of other states. I have been back here for over 20 years and I thank GOD for letting me get up each morning to see the most beautiful sights and hear the most sweetest songbirds. Life is a little slower here and its a great place to raise kids. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else if I had a choice.

I live in Hazard, KY. Was born and raised here. I hate how we get stereotyped because there are poverty stricken areas all over the country. I didn't grow up in poverty but I was taught to value money and family. I had a great education and am currently pursuing my PhD. There are a couple of organizations that come to this area to help repair houses during the summer. Most of them are teenagers and young people in church organizations. I think it is a great thing to help others. But, with our heritage the well off does help the needy in this area. When the tornadoes hit a couple of months ago they actually had to tell people to quit sending donations of clothes!

The only good to come out of this is the money made by the photos for the photographer lol. Kimberly what you said is right. Thank you.

Posted by Joyce Kotzur on March 31,2012 | 09:54 PM Joyce you are never too old. Had a lady 84 on a crew when I spent 1 week in Appalachia with Appalachia Service Project. http://asphome.org/ASP_News

I received information from some organization, I believe called Appalachian Project, where people volunteer during summer months when the weather is good to help repair houses for people and even insulatethem for people to keep them warm in the cold winter months. If I can find their mailing address I will post it on this website, so anyone wanting to volunteer could do so. The accept donations to buy materials to do necessary repairs. I do not have any carpenter skills and probably am too old to volunteer, but I have sent a few small donations to help. I am 75 yrs old and retired, but have helped as much as I can. However, I would be willing to send clothes if that would help them as I could get my friends & relatives to donate too. God Bless these wonderful people.

As a native Kentucky "hillbilly", I am in fact PROUD of my roots. While many of my fellow Southeastern Ky. compatriots may feel that we are shown in a deprecating manner, I grew up in McCreary County some 50 years ago and spent many years with the Department of Education. These pictures are NOT any different than the reality I saw not only as a child but also as a professional. While I would have been considered POOR by the standards of those residing in the cities, we were in all actuality working middle class. Even as a young adult I visited the homes of friends who lived in Eastern Kentucky, some whose homes had dirt floors but these families were indeed proud and upstanding people. While their circumstances were not the "norm" in the U.S. as a whole, they were in no way lesser than anyone else except for their lack of money. When we embrace the reality of our heritage, we can show our PRIDE in the differences within yet another subset of the American culture and experience. Many poor Appalachian families may need financial assistance in developing skills and in development of jobs for them to take pride in but they remain a culture of traditionalism and good solid American values. I'm not sure I could have ever asked for a better place to develop my value system. I will always be proud of this heritage, no matter how anyone from the outside may view it. I can only assume that in some ways we are no different from the other subcultures in our great social melting pot of a country.

I grew and still live in the Appalachians,and believe me it is a life that if you didn't grow up here you should have.We grew up with love,spankings and what it is like to know and help your neighbors and family.I have done almost every aspect of work here,from setting tobacco through the process of baling it,had the biggest gardens you can imagine,and canning it,raised cattle to slaughtering hogs and chickens.And guess what I had a great education and worked in a hospital as a Health Information Specialist.I have a soninlaw from California who loves living here,so yes we are different and we are very very strong people and very proud people.My grandmother was taken home when she passed and we had her wake for 2 days,we respected her,and yes children learn young about death,but we don't live forever,a fact of living is dying at the end.We keep the traditions that was brought from our forefathers from Ireland and Scotland,and many ways are hard,but we make it and we made it well.Don't feel sorry for us,feel like we are Humans.

Hi my father Troy Triplett was from Wayland, KY

I've always read about appalaichia mountain people. I'd love to know if there's any deaf populations out there or are they send to Kentucky school for the Deaf? I am a Teacher of the Deaf and I'm just wondering about the Deaf in the mountain.

I'd also would love to if possible over the summer work/teach the Deaf in the mountain. Where do I get in touch with whom and etc. Please do email me for any information you have. thank you!

zzcommunications@hotmail.com
Rae

My goodness there is a stark similarity to my culture here. I am welsh and I know a lot of welsh people settled there in the 1800's. I am proud that us welsh have family values plus community spirit and so should those who live in such a fabulous place.

While I find all of this infuriating, I must admit that I am not surprised. Growing up in this region offered me the best childhood on the planet. We did not have a lot of money growing up, but we were not as desperate as the pictures show. What this photographer is doing is akin to taking a picture of someone living under a bridge in a large metro area and claiming the image to be representative of the entire city! The worldview many hold today is so backwards - not the people of Appalachia. My sister and I had the luxury of living next door to our grandparents. Nearly all of our relatives were within walking distance. Although I moved away nearly fifteen years ago, I can still call it "home" with strong conviction. Regarding the tradition of a wake: they typically take place in a church or funeral home in my experience. Many people from the community will drop by to bring food and comfort to the grieving family. They are not completely solemn (and this is not because there is a lack of respect for the dead). Many times, we would get together and tell stories and share memories of the deceased. More often than not, these always included stories that would make us laugh. I cannot imagine trying to heal from the loss of a loved one without this community network of love and support, and this time to share memories. Finally, the reason I find these pictures so infuriating is the fact they perpetuate the stereotype. I am a 33 year old mother of two. Currently, I am a junior at Boise State University, majoring in geoarchaeology. Part of my education is funded by an academic scholarship and I have made the Dean's list every semester. However, it always seems I have to prove myself to people who hear me speak and assume I am an idiot at the outset. No, this is not because of what I say, but my accent alone (which will forever be a part of my identity, because I am PROUD of where I came from!)

I would like to tell everyone who is concerned about the Appalachian People to send money C/O Sharon Teaney at Light House Misssion in Pineville, Ky. You can look it up on internet. It is a non profit that really helps the people of Pineville, Ky. The need hands up not hand outs. My ancestry is from here and I would love for anyone to help these people. I will try to put the website up when I find it but look around there are people right in your neighborhood that needs help.

Debbie,
My mother in laws church makes several trips to Appalachia every year and delivers donated food, clothing, household items, etc. Her name is Betty Owens and if you like I can give you a phone number just email me and let me know.

Kristi
my3jemz@comcast.net

My grandfather was a doctor. I never knew him. People would come to him for medical help and if they did not have the money they gave him something of value to them. He had a room in the house that no one was allowed to go in where he kept his medicine. He rode a horse or drove a buggy. One day he lifted the barn door to get it back on the track and had a mild heart attack. While he was resting a man came to the door to tell him that his wife was having a "hard labor" and he needed him to come up and help. My grandfather went and upon returning home he had a second heart attack and died.
My last memory of my mother's homeplace was the day I went to the family cemetary to put a gravestone on my parent's grave. It was June with the sun shining on the hills and their greenery around me and I felt a love and very close to my family there both dead and living. The people in that area of the country are tough, survivors, resourceful, close to one another and would help each other out without a second thought, family values and history are important to them, and there are many arts and crafts that are dying as the generations that know how to do them are dying.
What the people in the foothills of Kentucky and their ancestors lacked in financial wealth they made up for in a heritage of riches that cannot be matched in most areas of the country today.

My mother was born and raised in the hills of Kentucky. Many childhood memories of mine are about the summers spent visiting my grandmother, aunt, and cousins there. There is a beauty to that state, and especially in the foothills of Kentucky. Just ask anyone who has set on a front porch there watching the full moon come up over the mountain or walked across a swinging bridge over a stream. The trains ran close to my grandmother's house, and hearing a train whistle brings back memories of counting cars of coal traveling down the tracks. My cousin and I one time went walking down the railroad grade to a spot where wild black raspberries grew and we waded into those thorny branches and picked as many as we could to eat when we got back home. We brought her dog along to warn us if there were any snakes around. This was before the railroad company sprayed the weeds along the tracks killing the bushes of raspberries. I remember holley trees, fragrant honeysuckle, and a yard filled with clover that we made clover chains out of. My grandmother made cornbread that recipe had been handed down through the generations of the family, and of course it had to be made in a cast iron skillet to taste right. Her fried chicken and canned goods were the same way. We played hide and go seek for entertainment and I remember hiding in the smokehouse in the area next to where they used to hang the hog after they killed it. My grandmother would take me to the chicken coop to collect the eggs and I being five years old could only hold the basket and stay clear of the mother hen who had chicks in the pen next to us.

My husband and I want to help these families with money, food, and clothing. Does anybody know how we can get started with this, whom to contact? We could make random donations or help one specific family. Hope to hear something!

While I feel Adams is a very talented photographer, I feel appalled by the idea that he is depicted as authentically documenting what Appalachia is. He photographs the poorest, most secluded families, which I have no problem that in-particular... I have a problem with a few families and especially ONE county being used to portray Appalachia as a whole. I am from Appalachia, and I am sick and tired of everyone thinking that everyone who lives in the mountains is like this. Adams needs to stop projecting his portraits are truly documentary- if that would be the case than he would label them as a documentary of Harlan County particularly rather than generalize it as Appalachia. The Appalachians span a very long distance and there are many types of "Mountain People" as we've been referred to here. Please don't be as ignorant, and continue to reinforce the stereotype that has been cast upon us for our entire history. There is more to life in Appalachia- music, tradition, family, farming, and so forth..we are not a sad, poor people- we are rich in culture, nature, heritage and community.

I just watched a story about the Appalachia Mountain people. Diane Sawyer went to visit them and tell there story. My God so sad. I would like some information on where to send care packages for those families. Like a church or anyone who will hand out the clothes and toys to them. I would like to help. Noone has the right to judge them.

I hope someone sees my post here and e-mails me some infomation on who I can send items to for my new friends of Appalachia Mountains.

Big Hugs and God Bless
Debbie

I don't know much about the mountian people! But from what I gather is that they are people that don't mind hard work and would do anything to help their own. Sometime I think I would love to live that kind of life. Be able to get away from the stinking city life and all the hate. I have the up most respect for the mountain people.

It's stories and photos like this that has kept the world's vision of Appalachians, and hillbillies in general, as a picture of barefoot, inbred, rag-wearing, stringy-headed half-animals. This photographer is the Stephen King of visual artists yet goofy city people will insist on seeing it as reality. We see photos of city slum dwellers and don't assume it's the case for all urbanites; yet urbanites see photos of tarpaper shack dwellers and assume there are no mansions a mile down the road. How two-dimensional. I live near the location of these photos and believe me, Adams had to really look to find his models. AND he dressed the children in old fashioned and misfitting clothing in order to present that exact vision, much as traditional media have done with Appalachian children since the advent of the camera. Every time we see major networks or artsy types come in, they head for the poorest of the poor and present them as representative of our entire population. We're thoroughly sick of it, and now here's a former Native doing the same thing to us. Where is truth?

i for one would love to see more people telling storyes about my people here in kentucky and yes im proud of being a hillbilly i may not be as smart as the northern people but im glad to have nabors that when the times get tuff there the first ones to help we are poor money was not handed to us and we dont have the best teaching but what our morals have the lessons of love thy nabor and stand up for what we tyhink is right.

I have been reading how back in 1934 4000 people who for generation;s lived in the mountain's. The government ran a campaign to depict these proud brave american's as dirty and stupid so as to take their land and make a park for the elite rich to play with. The government succeeded. This is just tragic! These people had for generation's carved out a niche with hard work and ingenity and thrived on their land's. Their histories are rich with ancestor's who fought in the revolution..civil war's and then to be treated the way they were?!
And now in 2011? Many are now buying up land at outrageous prices in the great smokey mountains building condo's and lavish vacation houses. The very land taken 75 years ago from a proud ppl.

I make dresses for girls could you help me find someone to send dresses to in Appalachia mountains of Virginia I so want to help! A email would be great!

Thanks, Debbie

i have never seen adams' work, but am always interested in other areas of the u.s. i just watched a program on Appalachia, the people and music. I love listening to this music, but i know this way of life {hard times} exist everywhere. it is not embarassing at all, just life.

I saw a movie on TV yesterday, about these people, and would like to know where can I get a copy of this movie?

Shelby Lee Adams is my second cousin and the country doctor that is mentioned in the story is my grandfather (Lundy Adams). Both of my grandparents grew up in the hills of KY and dedicated thier lives to helping the people of Letcher County. Lundy's wife, Mary Ann, was a school teacher. My grandparents touched so many lives and they both would be very proud to know that Shelby is following in their footsteps.

Well-told story. Shelby Lee Adams is a national treasure, and his vision and eloquence with the camera is unsurpassed. It's nice to see him get some of the credit he deserves for the work he's done to preserve the culture and people of Appalachia. The only shame I can see is that not every culture and region has its own Shelby to speak for its people. (A picture really IS worth a thousand words.)

I have live in Kentucky all my life..
During World War I and World War II and maybe Vietnam, our goverment put our appalachian men from W. Virigina, Virigina, Tenn. Ky. and North Carolina on the front line because they could shoot a gun/rifle and take orders. I, personally will not stand for any criticism from anyone about our coal mining, ignorance or anything else said about "hill biilies". I know how hard people have to work in this area of our country to make a living.
This winter was a cold winter, and I am thankful for those coal miners deep under the ground and on top of the ground and when I see the coal trucks running I know some one is getting to work. Thank you god!

From a note I sent to Shelby Adams... Poverty is never pretty, is it? Maybe if there were great plains or huge wild animals surrounding this region, or even colorful weavings to sell to tourists. But its not that way is it? The Appalachian life looks even stranger because they have been flooded with the spillover of man made products which just mess up and clutter the simple ways. Even though i hope that cleaner burning fuels could replace the nasty black scars in the region, I know that coal puts food in people's refrigerators there and keeps them going. I do know this culture from the inside out and i'm glad you've made your records of it. There is of course the colorful quilts, well hid deep in the beds, that speak to a lost art. The act of storytelling and the music that has leaked out for all the world to hear. Your record is necessary, replaces cave paintings if you will! From a distant cousin and photographer in Malibu, CA.

I loved the article on Shelby Adams' Appalacian photos! I live on the Central Coast in California, but was born and raised in West Virginia. We were sporadically very poor when I was a child and I remember playing with children who lived in houses with no running water or electricity. And I think it's great that he's documenting this culture. I think by doing so, he's honoring the people who are his subjects! It's important to remember that dire poverty is not only in third world countries.

Shelby Lee, to me, the controversy is just silly yet I know you always take it seriously. But after all these years you have gone on doing something so fine that there is no doubt what you do is compassionate and full of love and respect for these people in these places. They are your friends and extended family.

I remember the people in the pictures, too. It is easy to and if you are, like many of us commenting here, lucky enough to have been a student or friend of Shelby's then you were told stories about the taking of the pictures and the families in them.

I also think that Shelby Lee Adams' work should be shown by Smithsonian as it is of historical relevance. The body of work that Shelby has done over these 39 years is a record of the lives of many families he is close to and returns to see each year. So we see a social history and people of a unique area that have found their way before the lens and caring eyes of this wonderful man.

I enjoyed reading the comments and I am sure Shelby feels deeply that we can shower him with our praise. But we know he deserves it like few in the entire world. My life is the richer and better for knowing you and for your sharing your gifts and work with me, Shelby Lee. Marilyn Wargo , friend and former student, Pagosa Springs, CO.

I just saw the movie about Shelby's work last night and really enjoyed it.

To those New York elitists who criticize his work, I believe that the reason these pictures bother them isn’t about the pictures them selves; it’s about their prejudices toward the persons in these pictures. Think about it.

Let’s analyze what the critics are saying:

They say that the pictures portray ‘negative stereotypes’.
Their use of the term ‘negative stereotypes’ proves that they view these individuals in a negative light. After all, they are saying the pictures of them are ‘negative’. The individuals in the pictures however, don’t view their lives, as depicted in the pictures as ‘negative’. They’re doing just fine, thanks.

But the critics insist that these pictures, pictures that portray a life they find sad and repulsive, are negative and exploitative. I say that they are only negative to the critics, because the critics find the people in the pictures to be sad and repulsive.

Putting the pictures aside for a moment, these same critics wouldn’t even be comfortable in the presence of the people in Shebly's work (people they are claiming to defend), should they be forced to spend some time with them. These critics would be very uncomfortable hanging out on the front porch with the individuals in Shelby's pictures, while Shelby on the other hand is perfectly comfortable doing so.


So here the critics are, the elitists that find these individuals and their lives to be sad, negative and repulsive, having the audacity to claim to be ‘taking up for them’ by declaring that Shelby's pictures of them are ‘exploitative’ and negative.

It’s totally snobbish, elitist and pathetic, frankly.

While the photos are nice and the story is of how people do live, remember that it can't be called Appalachia. Reason being is that there is a place in Virginia named Appalachia so one should really think of what they give a nickname to a place or area.

I am from Harlan, Kentucky. I am proud of my hertiage. My great grandfather was the first jailer for Harlan. even though I am just 28 years old, am very proud of my heritage. Everyone is different and have different ways of living. One should respect that like Shelby does.

When I first saw Shelby Lee Adams images I was taken back it took me a few years to realize that there was more than one South,and that there was a need for many photographic images and points of view to explain both the South and America.I can understand the need to show clean well fed American with shiney cars and good jobs and homes all the things we like to say is America that we like to export ,Healthy happy people gazing into a distance filled with hope and promise.I have also said that if these were images of black Americans there would be little outcry

One day I realized that Shelby Lee spoke of a different truth for some Americans
I can remember the day tis realiztion took place

A photograph that you can remember is as important as one that you can see

I remember the people in Shelby Lee Adams photograps

Shelby Lee Adams subjects, former assistants and former students all get it. Critics and insecure Kentucky residents who are now middle class don't. It is never an issue in other states when poor people are photographed. Shelby is not trying to exploit anyone or make his subjects, or all residents of Kentucky look bad. He considers his subjects family and has a deep appreciation of them. This issue seems to be a detour and should no longer be given any more needless attention.

What is not being talked about is how brilliant and complex Shelby's work is. The photograph of the home funeral is the perfect example. The photograph is bisected with two scenes within the frame with the two rooms in the house. In one mourners are gathered with a relative holding a child at the door. In the other Nay Bug, the subject of the article is stating by her grandmother's side at the coffin. His compositions are superb and reminiscent of many great painters, along with the dramatic lighting and beautiful printing that includes a full range of tones. Shelby Lee Adams is, in my opinion, one of the best environmental photographers ever and greatly under appreciated. How about a show of his work at the Smithsonian Gallery?

I show Adams' work to my documentary photography class every year, and the movie The True Meaning of Pictures, and they are very taken with the documentary and almost always side with the opinion that Adams is perfectly justified in doing his work and exhibiting it. If a viewer feels discomfort at the images, it is the viewer's issue, not the images issue, IMHO. An imperfect analogy might be to complain about Tina Barney's work; she, too, photographs family and friends in the culture in which she was raised (wealthy and existential). Do we have a hard time with her work, too?

My favorite image of Adams is the one of the man with the piercing eyes, heavy brows, and the snake wrapped around his neck...it says it all, that imperfect beauty of living on this odd planet we call our home.

Last Sunday afternoon as I was taking a break from work in my pottery studio, looking through my new issue of Smithsonian, I began to read the article about Appalachia. Towards the end of this piece I discovered the artist photographer was a very old friend of mine. Shelby Lee Adams.

I had lost touch with Shelby over the years and happily was able to reconnect.

When Shelby and I were both students at the Cleveland Institute of Art in the early 70s he took me on a trip to meet his family in the coalfields of eastern Kentucky. This was my first introduction to Appalachia.

Shelby’s love of the area was strong then and the bonds have only grown stronger over all these years as evidenced in the wonderful photos he has been willing to share with us. There is truth in the fact that lives here are shaped by hardship, poverty and geography. The other truth is it is a beautiful place, has abundant natural resources, family ties are strong, the people are self-reliant.

Shelby has always chosen to share this culture, I believe, because he is proud of his heritage. I for one feel very lucky to have the opportunity to know a little better, through Shelby’s work and friendship, an often forgotten and remote part of this beautiful region.
I have lived in the Appalachian region of southeastern Ohio for almost 40 years. Eastern Kentucky is close by. The culture is much the same in these Appalachian counties. I know Shelby is and continues to be proud of his heritage and the people in the hills and hollows that share their lives with him, and through him, all of us.

The truth is in the photos Shelby has chosen to share with us. Shelby has opened a door that for all but a few people has remained closed. I consider myself quite lucky to know Shelby, his work and his love of his home place. I doubt if I ever would have chosen to live in Appalachia had I not seen it first through Shelby’s eyes and heart.

Susan Abramovitz
Rock Riffle Run Pottery
Shade Ohio

I grew up in eastern Kentucky in a county that was in the bottom 5% economically in the nation. I have also traveled to Third World countries that make Appalachia look like the lap of luxury. There is much poverty and heartache in the world. The saddest thing, in my opinion, is that we have not yet learned how to help people without destroying their way of life. Education is a key, I think, in helping people help themselves.

Before the Great Society programs, the people in this region were extremely independent, self-reliant, and proud. Those programs, all initiated with great concern and care, have often taken away pride and made a whole generation dependent on others. I don't profess to have answers. The difficulties: programs run by outsiders almost always fail because they do not understand the people or the culture; programs run by locals reek with politics -- the same folks reaping what others have sown.

I see nothing wrong with these pictures or the story. For more than 30 years I have been making my own pilgrimages back to Kentucky. It is a balancing act; once an "outsider," it's hard to stay connected to the people and culture. But for me it is essential; I need to keep my roots intact. Mr. Adams is using his camera to bring the area to the world; I try to do the same with my writing. If this can in any way be positive -- help others to better understand the region, appreciate both its hardships and its wonderful traditions -- then, perhaps, new efforts to help these people won't be in vain.

I was in a class with Shelby Adams and over the course of a week he opened up about his work and his life. I was very impressed with his photography. Moreover, he is a fine teacher who cares about his students and gets to know them in a personal way. I saw this as an indication of caring and getting outside of his own interests to focus on the other. To me this is a clear indication of how he is with his photographic subjects as well..As I observed and participated with him in class, I learned how caring he is. Moreover, my participatory observations were bolstered by facts I learned about his history with Kentucky and the people he has photographed.

Shelby Lee Adams' photographs give voice to those who have none, and dignity to all his subjects.

I greatly enjoyed this article over Shelby's work. I think he is a very talented photographer, who has found his gift in portraying a part of this country that many of us have not seen. I was first exposed to his work my first year as a photography student and was absolutely awed by what I saw. There was such an emotional response to these people who lived so differently than I do, and yet, he was still able to portray them in a way that I, as a viewer, felt very connected. His photographs generated many questions for me and left me wanting to see more.
As far as people having a negative reaction to his work, I think that is clearly just a misunderstanding or lack of knowledge of what Shelby's work is about. While watching the documentary, it was obvious his love for these people and this area, and his strong relationships with them.

To see Shelby's photographs is to experience moments in the lives of his friends that he has been visiting over many years. Most are practically family. Both Shelby and his subjects share a bond that is based on living and breathing Kentucky mountain life, and accepting the beauty and darkness within it, something that is impenetrable by critics.

After having accompanied Shelby to Kentucky, what is quickly realized is that first and foremost, he is there to catch up and rejoice in being reunited with close friends once again. Good and bad past times from both ends are shared. Shelby's photographs reflect that time together. Every picture is undeniably reflective of the sincerity in every visit. There is trust and admiration and never a moment of making art for art’s sake. This is the reason why his images are treasured among his community in Kentucky and not broken apart by feelings of stereotyping and exploitation. To those being photographed and to Shelby, it is their life, memories and culture he is savoring with photographs. Nay Bug says it best when she says of Shelby’s pictures, “It’s not to make them look bad. It’s the way you look at it.”

Be it light times or dark times that Shelby captures, the sentiments of typecasting and discomfort have their origins in the eyes of the critic, not the photographer and not the subject.

Among many other things, the truth in Shelby's work shines in a delicacy, intimacy, understanding and commitment to the lives of his subjects. There is not a false or exploitive note...one need only look at his tender photograph of a man brushing his long-time wife's hair to see the love and warmth of Shelby's work. Thanks for this article.

I travelled as an assistant to Shelby Lee Adams. What I learned.......... was the biggest lesson of my life...EVER........... That we are all... connected,that Appalachia is a...place both mystifiying and straightforward. I respect the philosophies of Applalachain people ........their families and traditions,having met and been introduced by Mr.Adams .Shelby Lee Adams has opened to the United States of America..... what the true esscence of Kentucky is........ and its beautiful people.Thankyou...Shelby...... for the opportunity to discover and delight my life...knowing you and your people and the beautiful photographs.Please continue your work.Bravo.

Thank you for this wonderful tribute to both a great photographer, his life's work and to the people he loves.

We are fortunate to have discovered Mr. Adam's work about 15 years ago and won three of his photographs which are the core of our small art collection.

Every time I look at them they fill me with awe, reverence and respect for him and the people of Kentucky.

Everyone I know has the same reaction.

I believe Mr. Adams will be spending his 39th summer in Kentucky this year and that is not something to be taken lightly.

I do not feel his work is in any way negative or stereotypical. His dedication, love and affection should be evident to anyone who views his work and knows the story behind it.

Thank you for the article.

Wonderful article about a truly gifted Photographer.
I'd say the people who condemn him either have never really looked at his work or just have what I call Rush Limbaugh syndrome.

Shelby takes a poignant look at Appalachian people with no filters nor rose colored glasses.
It's a truth of society that some refuse to look at or recognize but rather ignore it and berate the people who talk about it.
Appalachia is the east coasts dirty little secret, just as the Indian Reservations of Arizona and New Mexico shame the West Coast.
No Government program has worked in either case because of the way it was shoved down their throats and there in lies the problem.
Because they couldn't be helped, it must be them who are at fault.

What people with Rush Limbaugh syndrome see is someone glorifying or making a mockery out of a pocket of our society who chose to live in squallier because if they wanted to, they could become Doctors and Lawyers, make Millions of dollars and live in Mansions.
Out of the many who do get an education and move out of the holler a few look down on the ones who chose to stay because they're ashamed of where they came from.

It is true that some chose to live the way they do and most get involved in drugs and other illegal activities such as theft and violence.
Shelby unabashedly shows this side as well but in a very tasteful way.
His Books not only show images of Appalachia but he also tells the stories behind the photos he's taken.

He paints a portrait of Appalachia as a place where the roots of the people go back many generations and that the majority are down to earth good people, doing the best they can to live their lives in peace. He paints all the colors that make up a society of people good, bad or indifferent.

I have never understood why there was such a negative reation to the photos and art of Shelby Adams. My mother grew up in a very remote coal town in Southern WV and in all honesty, I do understand why there would some negative reactions on the part of people who live in the area, but outside the area, I am mystified.

Shelbys art shows humanity and life. In fact, all the pictures that I have seen, and the 2002 documentary display people who are virtually brimming with life and wit. Mr. Adams very plainly stated, he did not photo graph the worst. I can say, from my experience and my Mothers, he did not. He kept the lens on life and in no way approached, the worst.

The complaints from most are, in my opinion a reaction to not what they see. They are a reaction to the fact that in those pictures, you acknowledge, hey, there is a part of me there. Some folks do not want that.

Oh well. Its wonderful to see faith and life in such a manner. I want more.

Thanks Shelby!

Mark Combs

I'm not associating this story with these comments, but I feel it should be said:

Some of my Kentucky relatives still speak of the many (too many, really) east coasters who used them as poster children for the learned helplessness, instilled by big government, under which much of the mountainous portion of Kentucky still labors.

My father, who was, as a government advisor, an advocate of this federal and private involvement, later regretted it and used to speak of relatives who recalled to him the photographers and filmmakers they felt tricked them and used them.

As usual, the truth lies somewhere in between. Crusaders may have felt they were helping, while the subjects were seeing their proud pioneer stock going down a road to oblivion on the government dole. It's a story repeated the world over. The Indian schools of the 19th Century, the homes lost to government roads and projects for the "good" of those made homeless, and so on.

These images are not of that sort, and the subjects should know that they convey the honor and traditions of their heritage. Their culture is being preserved.

To me, that is the essence of good photographic journalism.

Portray and do not betray.
Do not judge or prejudge.