This project began as a collection of found photographs of everyday African Americans during the 20th century. Photographs taken by family or friends - someone close who could look at the photograph years later and recognize the people and places and remember the stories behind them. Things I could not know looking at the image itself. The photograph was never intended for a wide audience.

But I am attracted to the composition and tone, an unusual exposer or focus or the expression on someone's face.

I share a racial identity with the people in the photographs and I think about each of our experiences living decades apart. I began reading oral histories, transcripts of audio and video interviews with storytellers who wished to add to the chronicle of African American history. The variety of stories and the unique voices of the storytellers were captivating in themselves. I have included excerpts from the stories along with the photographs though they are not directly related. Neither can illuminate one or the other. They are each their own depiction of a time and place.

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The photographs are from my personal collection and have been digitally retouched for this project. You may share or use these images for noncommercial purposes only, and please credit this project.

The oral history excerpts are from collections of various universities and nonprofit organizations. Use the links on the Sources page to read or hear the full interviews. And to determine their terms of use. They are used here for educational purposes.

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More photographs from this collection are available at https://www.instagram.com/missing.image

Aaron Calhoun