[EV +/-] Exposure Compensation of photography and photographers

from the series "Sufism" by Aaron Huey

I love the title of Aaron Huey’s website as much as I like his work: “Aaron Huey is a Photographer”. A simple statement with a powerful message. A photographer that understands that pictures elevate the significance of the events to raise the interest at media channels and the society. His work proves that pictures are more than a mere memory of what has happened, pictures are the voice that creates the news and the vehicle to initiate change.

from the series "America" by Aaron Huey

Selected as one of the best emerging photographers to watch by PDN 30 in 2007, Aaron’s work has been commissioned by leading publications like National Geographic, The New York Times etc. At his website you will find an extensive portfolio with series from Afganistan [where he reported on the opioid wars], Pakistan, Sufism [quite an interesting movement] and my favorite series, America. Get ready to get lost for a long time looking at his work immersed in the magic of great photography, images that that tell how rich and diverse is the human element.

from the series "America" by Aaron Huey

One of his personal projects has been documenting the life at Pine Ridge Indian Reservation a place with a fascinating story but, sadly, an example of the inefficiency of indian reservations.

from ""In the shadow of wounded knee: life on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation" by Aaron Huey

I have spent years following stories of war, poverty, and neglect in foreign conflicts around the world.  I found, however, that I had a group in my own backyard that had been conveniently forgotten- Aaron Huey

For this work, Aaron was awarded a second place in he POYi Magazine Division, Issue Reporting Story, where you can see the images of this series.

After the jump you can read Aaron’s statement on this amazing and powerful series. 

From Aaron Huey:

IN THE SHADOW OF WOUNDED KNEE

Fighting for Survival on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation

On the Great Plains, hidden away on little traveled back roads, is American Prisoner of War Camp Number 334.  This is also known as Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, home of the Lakota Sioux.  They are the tribe that suffered the infamous Wounded Knee Massacre, in December of 1890, in which an estimated 350 Lakota were killed.  Among the dead were over one hundred unarmed women and children.  Since that day Wounded Knee, and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, have been a symbol of the wrongs inflicted on Native Americans by the descendants of Europeans. Pine Ridge is the quintessential example of the failures of the reservation system, with staggering statistics on everything from violent crime to education.

Sadly, Pine Ridge continues to be the setting for an ongoing massacre within the tribe.
Gangs on the reservation are out of control, and the violence they live by grips even the smallest villages.  Unemployment on the reservation fluctuates between 85-90%, the housing office is unable to afford to build new structures, and existing structures are falling apart.  Many are homeless, and those with homes are packed into rotting buildings with up to five families.  Thirty-nine percent of the homes on the Pine Ridge Reservation have no electricity.  It is reported that at least 60% of the homes on the Pine Ridge Reservation are infested with black mold, which causes an often-fatal condition with infants, children, and the elderly.  According to 2006 resources, about 97% of the population lives below federal poverty levels.

The tuberculosis rate on the Pine Ridge Reservation is approximately eight times higher than the U.S. national average. The infant mortality rate is the highest on this continent and is about 3 times higher than the U.S. national average.  Cervical cancer is five times higher than the U.S. national average.  The school drop out rate is over 70%.  Teacher turnover is eight times that of the U.S. national average.  Frequently, grandparents are raising their grandchildren because their own children have succumbed to alcoholism, domestic violence, and general apathy. Making life even more grim, fifty percent of the population over 40 suffers from diabetes and the life expectancy for men is a mere 48 years of age.

I have spent years following stories of war, poverty, and neglect in foreign conflicts around the world.  I found, however, that I had a group in my own backyard that had been conveniently forgotten.  This emotional photographic exploration has transcended the normal boundaries of a documentary for me.  I have developed a deep friendship and love for the people of Pine Ridge, and for the families I have visited on several journeys over the past three years.  My hope is that this photographic exploration will bring to light a people who have long been demonized, victimized, and romanticized, but ultimately abandoned.

I hope that these photos of the Lakota will, if nothing else, make it impossible to forget them. 

– Aaron Huey

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