Caroline Harrell (sitting in distance with baby) and her family fishing at the Iatt Dam, in Colfax, Louisiana on May 9, 2017. 2017

Curator: Ashley Gilbertson's black and white photograph, taken May 9, 2017, presents Caroline Harrell and her family fishing at the Iatt Dam in Colfax, Louisiana. It's a poignant depiction of everyday life. Editor: My first impression is the contrast; the dam’s industrial architecture against the natural landscape and family activity. It feels quite stark, almost documentary-like in its realism. Curator: The image speaks to the intersection of race, class, and environmental justice. Fishing becomes more than recreation; it's a form of sustenance and cultural continuity for a Black family in the rural South. Editor: And the choice of black and white emphasizes those contrasts, perhaps highlighting the lack of color in the landscape or maybe suggesting a historical weight, referencing documentary photography's legacy of depicting social issues. The fishing rods themselves are material links—tools connecting the family to the water and their history. Curator: Absolutely, it prompts us to consider the socio-economic conditions shaping their lives. The act of fishing also reclaims space, resisting erasure and asserting presence. Editor: It makes you think about resource access and human interaction with these manufactured spaces. The family's presence is so grounded here, it’s great, even in its grayscale tones. Curator: A powerful reminder of resilience. Editor: Agreed, it's a striking piece of visual storytelling.