Salem, Oregon, 1976
This photo was the first photo I saw when opening the portfolio. It immediately grabbed my attention. Without context, this may look like a woman smiling or laughing with little else behind it. However, after doing some research on the context, I found that this photo amongst others in the “Ward 81” series are captures of mental hospital patients. The photo being in black and white for me at least gives the photo more of an eerie feeling. Knowing that this woman was struggling with a mental disorder outside of her control makes this photo a somber one in my eye yet is still beautifully captured and accomplishes exactly what Mary Ellen Mark was trying to convey through this series.