|

jack leigh

|

|

|

bio

|

|

|

|

|

photo © allen rokach

Jack Leigh began his work in photography in 1972 following formal studies at the University of Georgia. He later studied with George Tice, Eva Rubinstein, and Jill Freedman. From the beginning of his career his objective was to seek out and record the people, environments, and rapidly passing lifestyles of his native region - the American South.

Leigh's award-winning photographs are in numerous private and corporate collections. His work has appeared in museums and gallery exhibitions, magazines and newspapers across the country and abroad. He was the author of six highly acclaimed books of photography - Oystering: A Way of Life; The Ogeechee: A River and It's People; Nets & Doors: Shrimping In Southern Waters; Seaport: A Waterfront At Work; The Land I'm Bound To, and Ossabaw: Evocations of an Island (a collaboration with painter Alan Campbell and author James Kilgo).

In 1993 Leigh was commissioned to create a photograph for the book cover of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt. The book became an international best seller and the photograph is Leigh's most famous and widely recognized image.

Jack Leigh passed away in May of 2004 after a battle with colon
cancer. Having received numerous awards and accolades during his career he will continue to be an inspiration to all who crossed his path. His dedication to and love of photography inspired him to continue his work until his last days. His spirit will forever reside in the work he left behind.