Sally Mann is an American photographer who was born in 1951 in Lexington, Virginia. In the documentary entitled "What Remains", viewers are given a glimpse into not only her creative process, but also a great deal of her personal life. It is made evident that her photographic works and personal life are deeply intertwined. Sally Mann initially was launched into infamy for her photographs of her children. While she was named one of America's Best Photographers, she was also highly criticized for photographing her children nude. They were very strong photographs and one could almost feel the connection she had with her children, but they could also be interpreted as dark and controversial. Personally, I feel that the images are simply beautiful.
"What Remains" is also the title of one of her shows which the documentary follows in detail as it becomes close to an obsession for Sally Mann. Viewers are left to question her madness as she photographs decomposing corpses, but her passion for her subject matter is undeniable. Her intention was to bring to light the undeniable nature of death, but also to create an appreciation for the life that exists around us. It was an extremely interesting concept, and I could understand why it would be one so hard to sell to galleries. I definitely respect Sally Mann for putting so much heart into her work and having faith that her idea was one that needed to be seen and heard. Many artists may have moved onto work that would have proven more profitable, but I feel like it is a sign of a true artist to stay loyal to an idea they are passionate about.
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