An Interesting Intro and Forceful Thesis

Drive in Appalachia with all four windows down and look around. The roads are calm and traffic is close to non-existent. The only thing to hear is the leaves of the trees brushing against each other as the car passes. The cool, fresh air with a clean smell rushes to fill to cabin of the car and refreshes the lungs with each deep breath in.  The view is astounding: mountains of soaring green purple and grey as far as the eye can see, lush green trees lining every road, and dancing wildflowers in the clearings. This beautiful region is home to thousands of families from different backgrounds, beliefs, and socioeconomic levels. It is also the childhood home of Shelby Lee Adams who photographs what seem to be the trenches of Appalachia. While Shelby Lee Adam’s photographs contain artistic value, they are taken on false pretenses and  destroy the true image of beautiful Appalachia.

With a click of a camera, a resident of Appalachia says she “could make you a very ugly, sinister looking person.” Shelby Lee Adams, an Appalachian native, returns to his home to take pictures of the residents. While he acts much like a documenter he is creating art. Black and white photographs are filled with action and paint a story of obvious poverty, suffering, and barbarianism. While Shelby Lee Adam’s photographs contain artistic value, they are taken on false pretenses and  destroy the true image of beautiful Appalachia.