44. February 09: Samuel Portera

A mythical place, a giver and taker of life, and a barrier protecting us from the sea, are all attributes that draw me to the Louisiana wetlands. The marshes, swamps, bogs, highlands, and lowlands, are all equally important and equally beautiful. Viewed from planes, boats, or the shores of South Louisiana, they are jewels of nature yet the hand of man is clearly evident We have drained them, filled them, and exploited them almost until extinction, however the wetlands in and around the Mississippi Valley thrive when given the chance. The tide has turned and many now realize the global importance of these important ecosystems. They provide us with food, they store our flood waters, regulate our climate, and protect our shorelines. I spend my days exploring the marshes and swamps of Louisiana, collecting pieces of the whole in the form of photographs. These photographs are meant to provide a new context of what a wetland is and to see these marvels in unique way. I wish to provide a focal point, to cut through pre-formulated notions of a long thought of sinister place. I use a modified 4x5 Speed Graphic, that allows me a single focal point, a pointer, blurring and darkening the periphery to hold the viewers attention. I work in film and digital, but prefer to use film when I can. Samuel Portera was born in 1972 in New Orleans, and now lives in Madisonville, Louisiana. He has been documenting the marshes and swamps of Louisiana for many years. His work has appeared in magazines such as Shots, B&W, Oxford American, Fraction, and Habitus. Mr. Portera’s black and white photographs have been shown in New York and New Orleans. www.samuelportera.com