Stephen Milner's Ogeechee River

Stephen Milner's ongoing Ogeechee River Project documents the environmental problems facing residents living along the Ogeechee River in Georgia since 2011 when it was discovered that a textile producer had been illegally dumping into the river for 6 years.

Wayne and Arthur Under Morgan’s Bridge, Chatham County

Milner's quiet portraits and landscapes, building on the traditions of Joel Sternfeld, Alec Soth and Amy Stein give an insight into how the community, who relied on the river for its food, transportation and recreation, has adjusted to their unfortunate circumstances. While the series is undoubtably political, Milner's sensitivity to his subjects transcends his work from hardened diatribe to a more complicated unveiling of the human spirit.

The Ogeechee River From Above

Many of the project's initial images were photographed with a 4x5 camera, something that Stephen describes as impactful on his interactions with his subjects. "I found that people were way more interested in being photographed, I think it was because of the size and the unfamiliar process that intrigued them. It made them more comfortable with me, I think knowing that if I lugged around a huge camera that took forever to set up, I must be pretty serious about my craft."

Taylor Outside his Home During Flood, Effingham County

Tyler Jones Testing Out his New Rifle, Bulloch County

While some large format photographers depend on this slowed down process, Stephen has applied its comfort to making digital pictures that are nearly indistinguishable from his large format work. He returns frequently -- generally weekly and sometimes daily, building on the community's individual stories as their life and circumstance evolves. 

Kids under Highway 119 bridge, Effingham County

"I photographed one of the guys two years ago in his temporary trailer on the river. He has a interesting story – he lived off the river for a long time before the fish kill and pollution. His campground was epic, he had a drum set overlooking the river. But it flooded and he had to go to higher ground. He has a new camp now, about 30-40 minute hike through winding swampy overgrown trails. I followed him earlier for like 10 minutes but had to turn back because it was getting dark and a storm was approaching. Maybe I'll get to photograph him again Sunday. "

Jody in his Driveway, Effingham County

Father and Son Floating Down River, Chatham County

Stream Just Below King American Finishing’s Outfall Pipe, Screven Count

Man and his Home, Effingham County

Derrick Fishing Off of Highway 24 Bridge, Screven County

Rocky Ford High School Teenagers, Screven County

Jody’s Home, Effingham County

Stephen Milner (b.1991) is a photographer currently living in Savannah, Georgia. He received his BFA in photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2013, where he was awarded the grand prize PDN Best of College Photography and PDN & Panasonic “Changing Photography” award.  His work has been featured in the Oxford American, The Inertia, PDN Magazine, Rangefiner Magazine, Lenscratch, Mullitover, Nikonos Project, and Aint-Bad Magazine.