Adams began shooting in the 1970’s in the Appalachia Region. He is simply trying to convey the culture of the region in his photographs. He states, “My opportunity is to make photographs from an insider’s perspective with real, established relationships. Trained as a fine arts photographer, I have no political or social bias to entertain, choosing instead to diligently and openly explore my roots, family, people and myself” (All of Us). Adams claims that he does this by creating close relationships with his subjects. He thinks that because he was a native of the area, he was much more warmly accepted by his subjects.
I question his subject choice, especially in the selected photographs. He says that he has no social or political bias, but “the marginalized” as a subject are a recurrent theme in his pictures. I think of the photographer, Diane Arbus when I look at these photos. There are a few parallels: black and white, centered portraits, and the marginalized. Adams is photographing the “different” ones. His motives are the things that I question and I wonder if he is simply shooting subjects who he knows will generate the most reaction.
