ARCHIVE EPISODE: This is an archive episode with hosts Joe Giordano and Elena Volkova originally released in 2020.
📸 Seeing Appalachia Through a New Lens: An Inside Look at Roger May’s “Looking at Appalachia” Project
Table of Contents
- Who Is Roger May?
- Why Appalachia Needs a Fresh Narrative
- The “Looking at Appalachia” Project – How It Works
- Key Takeaways for Photojournalists & Writers
- What’s Next for Roger May & the Project?
- Quick FAQ
- Take Action – Explore the Collection & Get Involved
Who Is Roger May?
- Appalachian‑American photographer based in Charleston, West Virginia.
- Born on the Kentucky‑West Virginia border, in the heart of “Hatfield‑McCoy country.”
- Work appears in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, National Geographic and many more.
- A single parent who balances a day‑job with his passion for photography, letting him stay intentional about every shot he takes.
“Photography is primarily a tool for listening.” – Roger May (from the podcast)
Why Appalachia Needs a Fresh Narrative
The Problem: One‑Dimensional Media Coverage
- Coal‑centric storytelling: National outlets often reduce the region to “coal towns,” “poverty,” or “Trump country.”
- Historical lenses: Over‑reliance on legacy images from the 1960s FSA/War‑on‑Poverty era that focus on run‑down homes, broken‑down cars, and “barefoot children.”
- Missing the good: Positive developments (e.g., local environmental lobbying, cultural resilience) are rarely highlighted.
Roger’s Perspective
- Media laziness and a lack of nuance lead to monolithic narratives.
- He believes the region is more than poverty—it’s a place of deep connection to land, culture, and community.
- The goal: Showcase the everyday beauty and complexity of Appalachian life, not just its hardships.
The “Looking at Appalachia” Project – How It Works
| Step | What Happens | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ Call for Submissions | Open Instagram post (Feb 2014) invites anyone to photograph Appalachia in the current calendar year. No restrictions on equipment, experience, or style. | Democratizes the visual narrative; captures diverse voices beyond traditional (mostly white‑male) photographers. |
| 2️⃣ Crowd‑Sourced Collection | Over 3,000 submissions in Year 1; 297 selected for the first archive. Subsequent years maintain an open‑call model. | Builds a living archive that reflects how Appalachia looks today. |
| 3️⃣ Editorial Review | A rotating editorial team (photographers & documentarians) votes on each image. | Ensures quality while keeping the community‑driven spirit. |
| 4️⃣ Online Gallery | Photos sorted by state and county (420 Appalachian counties across 13 states). Click‑through button reveals photographer credit, location, and a link to their personal site. | Makes the collection discoverable and transparent. |
| 5️⃣ Call‑and‑Response | Writers (poets, essayists, journalists) pair with selected images to produce text‑photo dialogues. | Highlights the synergy of image and word, encouraging deeper storytelling. |
| 6️⃣ Exhibitions & Books | Print exhibit scheduled at Piedmont College (GA) & The Juliet Museum (WV); plans for a comprehensive photo book. | Transforms digital content into tangible cultural artifacts. |
Quick Stats (as of 2019)
- 600+ photographs in the archive.
- Under‑represented states: Maryland (only 3 counties), New York, Mississippi, Northern Alabama.
- Emerging talent highlighted: Matty McGarvey (Ohio), George Etheridge (NY/WNC), Maddie [Last Name] (MD).
Key Takeaways for Photojournalists & Writers
- Context Over Clickbait – Editors are increasingly looking for photographers who bring deep knowledge of a place rather than a quick “poverty shot.”
- Build Trust, Not Just Access – Long‑term relationships (e.g., returning to the same community) earn deeper, more authentic images.
- Embrace Community‑Driven Projects – Crowdsourcing can surface stories you’d otherwise miss and position you as a connector in the media ecosystem.
- Balance Media Requests with Personal Vision – Roger keeps a separate day‑job, letting his creative side stay purpose‑driven rather than assignment‑driven.
- Use Photography as Listening – A photo is a conversation starter; aim to capture humanity, not just scenery.
What’s Next for Roger May & the Project?
- 2019 submissions are being finalized and will soon appear on the website.
- Print exhibit slated for later this year at:
- Piedmont College (North Georgia)
- Juliet Museum at the Clay Center (Charleston, WV)
- Potential photo book: 50–60 curated images, paired with essays, maps, and community stories.
- Technical evolution: Roger is learning to use a 4×5 large‑format camera (film) to slow down his process and capture more intentional images.
“I love books. I love photo books. I’m excited about the possibility of seeing Looking at Appalachia as a printed book someday.” – Roger May
Quick FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can anyone submit a photo? | Yes—anyone who takes a picture in the current calendar year within the Appalachian Regional Commission’s 420‑county map can submit. |
| How are photos credited? | Hover over the small information button on each image to see photographer name, date, location, and a link to their website. |
| Where can I view the collection? | Visit lookingatappalachia.com → Photographs tab. Images are organized by state → county → contributor. |
| Is there a fee to submit? | No. Submission is free; the project relies on community volunteers for curation. |
| How can I support the project? | Share the website, submit your own images, write a response piece, or contact Roger about hosting an exhibit. |
Take Action – Explore the Collection & Get Involved
- Visit the site – Dive into the visual archive and discover hidden Appalachian stories.
- Submit your own work – If you’re in one of the 420 counties, send a photo that reflects your own view of the region.
- Write a response – Pair a favorite image with a short poem, essay, or personal anecdote.
- Spread the word – Share the project on social media using the hashtag #LookingAtAppalachia.
- Attend an exhibit – Keep an eye out for upcoming shows at local universities, museums, or community centers.
Final Thought
Roger May’s “Looking at Appalachia” proves that when a community takes control of its own visual narrative, the result is richer, more humane, and far from the stereotypes that dominate mainstream coverage. Whether you’re a photographer, writer, educator, or simply curious about the region, the project offers a gateway to authentic, nuanced storytelling—one image at a time.
Ready to see Appalachia differently?
👉 Explore the collection now: https://seeingappalachia.org/
Keywords used: Roger May, Looking at Appalachia, Appalachian photography, Appalachian photojournalism, crowdsourced photography project, visual storytelling, Appalachia narrative, Appalachian representation, photo book, large‑format camera, community‑driven photography, media representation of Appalachia.
_________
Appalachia, photojournalism, poverty, coal mining, extractive industry, War on Poverty, FSA, WPA, crowdsourced photography, Looking at Appalachia project, media narrative, national publications, stereotypes, regional identity, community, environmental lobbying, West Virginia, Maryland, 4×5 camera, film photography, photo books, visual storytelling, dialect, accent, “Trump country”, American Dream, capitalism, representation, cultural heritage, rural‑urban divide
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