He got it right

John Ficara, internationally known photographer, got it right. His work was four years in the making, start to finish. He talked with farmers; he spent days, nights, and early mornings with them; and he photographed them at work. He photographed them in those agonizing hours when the local FSA officials would put them off. He photographed them in the early morning hours at the cooperatives where they sold their produce. He photographed them in heat of the southern sun. He tells their stories of injustice from the promise of "40 acres and a mule" to the current days of encountering bureaucratic injustices and struggles to hold on to the land. "Distant Echoes" is a haunting title for his narration and photographs.

He knows their stories better than most. Perhaps only the farmers know their stories better. His camera allows him to tell their stories in places and in ways beyond the scope of the farmers' abilities to do so.

Their stories deserve to be told.

Some day I'd like to meet John Ficara and learn of his personal story of capturing their stories on film. More than that, I hope the world gets to see Ficara's work.

Check out these web sites. Buy his book from a place where the proceeds help farmers survive.