Mississippi 24/7

Rating:
Summary: Clarksdale Press Register
Review: "The landscape of the Delta inspires me," he says, leaning back in his desk chair against a wall of his own photos. "The farms, old silos, shotgun shacks, people of the soil and the innocence of children are my favorite subjects."
Catchings' unique point of focus has earned him space in Mississippi 24/7, a comprehensive digest of exceptional photography from across the state. The book, which became available in stores last week, is part of a 50-state book series following the success of the immensely popular photo book, America 24/7. Oprah Winfrey placed the book on her list of "favorite things" of 2003.
The state coordinator for the series, Chris Todd of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, asked Catchings and other Mississippi photographers to submit unpublished photos of their particular part of the state for the book. The photos were to be taken in each photographer's part of the state, day and night, during a particular week of May.
The books were published by DK Publishing. Project directors Rick Smolan and Davis Elliot Cohen became famous for their award-winning Day in the Life photography book series.
Catchings submitted 10 photos of people and places in Coahoma County. Three were chosen to run large in the book, including still shots of a classic little white church in Bobo, a multicolored VW van outside the Hopson Commissary and a photo of an animated preacher jumping in the air.
Nearly all of the remaining photos he submitted were included in the book as smaller thumbnail photos throughout the book. These included shots of a man playing golf at the Shack-Up Inn and a born-again baptism.
In the photos, Catchings' talent intersects with the picturesque nature of the Mississippi Delta itself.
"They asked us to get photos that are pertinent to our area during a certain week, and it just so happened that there was a revival going on. I was out at Hopson, and I spotted this colorful van in an old shed. I just knew they were going to be good photos."
Catchings' knowledge of what makes a good photo comes from decades of experience. He began with a simple Brownie Hawkeye camera, snapping shots for the W.A. Higgins High School yearbook. Today, that simple camera has become a digital one, and a self-taught Catchings manages to make a career out of his art.
"I don't think of it as a profession. I think of it as a hobby that pays for itself," he says.
Local characters such as musician Johnnie Billington and card player Puddin' Barnes can also count their faces among those spread across the pages of Mississippi 24/7.
Photographer David Grunfield of the New Orleans Times-Picayune also submitted a number of Clarksdale area photos for the book - a number of which were chosen for publication.
Among his subjects were patrons of the Ground Zero Blues Club, local cotton bales, and some of the blues musicians that have made Clarksdale so famous.
The Mississippi Delta is among the most heavily represented regions in the book.
Catching's work has made a substantial contribution to The Clarksdale Press Register, according to Editor Peter Williams.
"I've worked with dozens of photographers over the past 30 years, and Troy has a true talent," Williams said. "You can also tell he truly cares about the community he covers."
Mississippi 24/7 can be purchased at most bookstores, Wal-Mart or can be ordered online (...)

Rating:
Summary: From the Clarksdale Press Register
Review: For the past 35 years, Clarksdale Press Register photographer Troy Catchings has seen the Mississippi Delta through the eye of a lens.

"The landscape of the Delta inspires me," he says, leaning back in his desk chair against a wall of his own photos. "The farms, old silos, shotgun shacks, people of the soil and the innocence of children are my favorite subjects."

Catchings' unique point of focus has earned him space in Mississippi 24/7, a comprehensive digest of exceptional photography from across the state. The book, which became available in stores last week, is part of a 50-state book series following the success of the immensely popular photo book, America 24/7. Oprah Winfrey placed the book on her list of "favorite things" of 2003.

The state coordinator for the series, Chris Todd of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, asked Catchings and other Mississippi photographers to submit unpublished photos of their particular part of the state for the book. The photos were to be taken in each photographer's part of the state, day and night, during a particular week of May.

The books were published by DK Publishing. Project directors Rick Smolan and Davis Elliot Cohen became famous for their award-winning Day in the Life photography book series.

Catchings submitted 10 photos of people and places in Coahoma County. Three were chosen to run large in the book, including still shots of a classic little white church in Bobo, a multicolored VW van outside the Hopson Commissary and a photo of an animated preacher jumping in the air.

Nearly all of the remaining photos he submitted were included in the book as smaller thumbnail photos throughout the book. These included shots of a man playing golf at the Shack-Up Inn and a born-again baptism.

In the photos, Catchings' talent intersects with the picturesque nature of the Mississippi Delta itself. "They asked us to get photos that are pertinent to our area during a certain week, and it just so happened that there was a revival going on. I was out at Hopson, and I spotted this colorful van in an old shed. I just knew they were going to be good photos."

Catchings' knowledge of what makes a good photo comes from decades of experience. He began with a simple Brownie Hawkeye camera, snapping shots for the W.A. Higgins High School yearbook. Today, that simple camera has become a digital one, and a self-taught Catchings manages to make a career out of his art."I don't think of it as a profession. I think of it as a hobby that pays for itself," he says.

Local characters such as musician Johnnie Billington and card player Puddin' Barnes can also count their faces among those spread across the pages of Mississippi 24/7.

Photographer David Grunfield of the New Orleans Times-Picayune also submitted a number of Clarksdale area photos for the book - a number of which were chosen for publication.

Among his subjects were patrons of the Ground Zero Blues Club, local cotton bales, and some of the blues musicians that have made Clarksdale so famous.
The Mississippi Delta is among the most heavily represented regions in the book.
Catching's work has made a substantial contribution to The Clarksdale Press Register, according to Editor Peter Williams. "I've worked with dozens of photographers over the past 30 years, and Troy has a true talent," Williams said. "You can also tell he truly cares about the community he covers."