The magazine of the photo-essay
Nov 2017 back issue
“A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine. Fabulous!”
Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film maker
by Dan Nelken
County Fairs have been part of the American way of life for more than
160 years and have existed because of the family farmers that choose to
participate in the agricultural arena of these fairs. Yet, as family farms
disappear at the rate of hundreds per month, family-based farming is
struggling to retain its relevancy in rural farming communities and hold
on to it’s disappearing cultural lifestyle.
My objective was to capture the essence of this lifestyle through portraits
of the participants, as well as the fruits of their year long labor. Every
summer since 1998, from July to Sep tember I sought out these three to
ten day events hoping to document in portraits and still life’s, an
agricultural tradition that may be in its sunset years. Aware that others
have looked through a lens at similar subject matter, I did not want to
beautify the experience or trivialize it through sentimentality. My love of
irony, of circumstance, and of the candor of the moment, guided my
photographic journey. I hope that when county fair participants look at these photographs they can say to themselves,
“Yes, this is truly how it is.”
Half naked.
Sisters.
Resting.
Keeping it clean.
Nori with her prize hen.
Back to cage.
One day old.
Couples.
Competitors.
Showmanship.
The finalists.
Toddler beauty contest.
Dairy contest.
Blue ribbon dairy.
Grand champion.
They both won.
Beauty pageant.
Admiring the beauty queen.
Cow pillow.
Lunch.
Plant competition.
