The Community You May Not Known In Atlanta, Georgia. A Portrait Series Of Habesha

Carry the Ocean is the project focusing on Habesha (Ethiopians and Eritreans) communities in Atlanta. It is an exploration into culture difference, communication and shared immigration experience.

My name is Shine Huang, born in Shanghai, China, and currently based in Atlanta, GA. I am a freelance photographer, majorly focusing on portraits and still life.

In the past three years, I developed a photo projects about Habesha communities in Atlanta. I went to their homes to take portraits on black and white film. During each photo sessions, I had the opportunity to learn about Ethiopian culture. The resulting images honor this culture through a formal portraiture in which the sitters wear traditional textiles and dress.

While I am celebrating a culture outside of my own, I also find a parallel in my experience as an immigrant to the United States. Through this shared experience, I was able to find common ground between myself and a culture in which I was an outsider. I see communication, respect and acceptance as central to this project: my acceptance by the families, and the communication with my subjects as well with my viewer through photographs.

See more about this project:

https://www.shinelightbox.com/carrytheocean

More info: shinelightbox.com

"Carry the Ocean", a portrait series of Habesha in Atlanta, 2015-2018.

By Shine Huang.

Camera: Hasselblad 503cw;
Film: Ilford HP5

"Carry the Ocean", a portrait series of Habesha in Atlanta, 2015-2018.

By Shine Huang.

Camera: Hasselblad 503cw;
Film: Ilford HP5

"Carry the Ocean", a portrait series of Habesha in Atlanta, 2015-2018.

By Shine Huang.

Camera: Hasselblad 503cw;
Film: Ilford HP5

"Carry the Ocean", a portrait series of Habesha in Atlanta, 2015-2018.

By Shine Huang.

Camera: Hasselblad 503cw;
Film: Ilford HP5

"Carry the Ocean", a portrait series of Habesha in Atlanta, 2015-2018.

By Shine Huang.

Camera: Hasselblad 503cw;
Film: Ilford HP5

"Carry the Ocean", a portrait series of Habesha in Atlanta, 2015-2018.

By Shine Huang.

Camera: Hasselblad 503cw;
Film: Ilford HP5

"Carry the Ocean", a portrait series of Habesha in Atlanta, 2015-2018.

By Shine Huang.

Camera: Hasselblad 503cw;
Film: Ilford HP5

"Carry the Ocean", a portrait series of Habesha in Atlanta, 2015-2018.

By Shine Huang.

Camera: Hasselblad 503cw;
Film: Ilford HP5

"Carry the Ocean", a portrait series of Habesha in Atlanta, 2015-2018.

By Shine Huang.

Camera: Hasselblad 503cw;
Film: Ilford HP5

"Carry the Ocean", a portrait series of Habesha in Atlanta, 2015-2018.

By Shine Huang.

Camera: Hasselblad 503cw;
Film: Ilford HP5

"Carry the Ocean", a portrait series of Habesha in Atlanta, 2015-2018.

By Shine Huang.

Camera: Hasselblad 503cw;
Film: Ilford HP5