Image: The LA Times
In the last few months, tornados have ripped through much of midwest. The wreckage is crazy, many people have lost everything–some even their lives–and aide workers are doing their best to piece it all back together.
There a few photos of the storms themselves–which are huge and scary–but mostly, there are tons of photos of the aftermath…destroyed houses, overturned cars, ruined farms…which kind of fall into the category of “ruin porn” or “Detroitism,” but images of destruction like these always make me want to give back. This is how photographers can do more–take pictures of gritty shit, and expose everyone to it, and remind them that there are people who are in need. Click thru the image tabs above the photo to see what i mean.
Check out what’s going on out there–and, if you have a chance and the means, consider donating to the Red Cross or Salvation Army.
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Here’s a gallery of images I captured last summer of the Joplin, MO tornado aftermath.
http://www.rossfeighery.com/blog/?p=372
I made sure to link the http://www.rebuildjoplin.org charity site wherever I posted the photos in hopes that it might inspire people to donate and not just be “ruin porn”…
I understand the sentiment of raising awareness but I’d like to echo Mr Cave’s comment above regarding disaster tourists. The affected folks don’t know you or the quality of your work and are in the midst of dealing with their loss. “It’s for my blog” or “I’m raising awareness,” might not convey your good intentions.
There are organizations out there that will let you get hands on and give back. By all means, snap pictures while you’re out helping residents tarp roofs and put ’em up on your Facebook or Instagram to get your friends interested, but I recommend against just doing a drive-by.
If you don’t have time to join a proper organization, and you happen to be in a disaster area, swing by a community center such as a church or senior center, which become hubs of activity after disasters, though they may not always take you at your word due to all the scam artists that unfortunately flock to these type of events.
Living here in Alabama we appreciate raising awareness! Last April, Alabama got hit very hard and I got to shoot some portraits of survivors for a non-profit in Cordova, AL that lost most of its town (bank included but left the safe!)
http://www.alanmatthewsphotography.com/#/Gallery/Cordova/Cordova – our goal was to put faces to the tragedy to raise awareness instead of simply showing destruction.
Thanks!