YPA: Answering Adversity
Back in August I took a short trip to the Gulf Coast to work on a self-funded documentary project for the Young Photographer’s Alliance. This was the first year that YPA was offering a mentoring program in which emerging photographers were given the chance to pair up with industry professionals. As part of the program, 4 members from our New York team met with mentor, Stephen Mallon, once a week to discuss thoughts, images, and ideas regarding our self-chosen projects surrounding the theme “Answering Adversity.”
Considering my recent completion of grad school, and my new abundance of provisional free time, I decided to venture outside my immediate locale. Where did I want to explore? And, who is in the face of such adversity? After the incessant barrage of streaming details in connection with the effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon spill, I decided to head south and explore for myself. I rented a car and drove along the coast starting from Grand Isle, LA and heading east, stopping whenever possible to talk with people and gain some insight as to what they were dealing with. I listened more that I photographed, and I am glad that I did.
In short, I cannot stress the importance of traversing the media’s veil and taking a chance to see things for yourself and hear what people have to say. Unedited and unadulterated words can uncover so much. I learned a lot from the people I met on my trip, and I witnessed something that I tend to miss living in New Jersey: a sense of community, spirit, and perseverance; although maybe I am just not looking hard enough…
The work of all teams was previewed at Visual Connections New York 2010 and the first public exhibition will be held at the Calumet Gallery in New York City on January 13-28 of 2011. I was also lucky to have my work and essay featured on the ASMP website and have an image printed in the 2010 Fall ASMP Bulletin.
All images © Stacy Swiderski 2010. No reproduction without prior and written permission.
Coffee, how could you do this to me?
An avid tea drinker since I was 8; black, with milk and sugar, and somehow lately, I’ve been cheating on it with coffee. I feel bad, I do. I feel real bad. I love tea. It’s always been there for me, through the good times and the bad, oolong in sickness with it’s good friend honey, and earl grey and orange pekoe in gratefully bountiful days of health. Even on the hottest days of summer, I’ve been a loyal partner. And now, somehow I find myself turning to the dark side. Coffee, where did you come from and how did you find me? I used to want to sleep, and now you’re taking that pleasure away from me. Are you trying to tell me something? Have I been lazy, lethargic, and unproductive all these years, or are you jealous of my long, relaxing and committed relationship with tea? I’m wary of your motives; surely you will never be my tea. However, your luring, aromatic roast calls to me more than once throughout the day, and I am bashfully starting to cave. I want you to know that I will never leave my darling tea. I will see you both if I must, for now anyway.