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Thomas Neff
Thomas Neff, photographer and Professor of Art at Louisiana State University, was born in 1948 in Los Angeles, California. He first studied photography in 1969 in Riverside, California, and in 1972, he entered into what might be described as an apprenticeship with Herb Quick, who served as the department head of the Photographic Services at UC, Riverside. Quick, who was influenced by the techniques of Edward Weston and Ansel Adams, taught Neff the Zone System, as well as large format photography, but more importantly he taught him the philosophies of many of the great masters. Their association both professionally and personally was to continue for the next thirty-five years until Quick’s death in 2006. Upon receiving a BA degree in 1976, from UCR, Neff attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, earning an MFA degree in 1980. In 1982, Neff joined the faculty of the School of Art at LSU. While continuing to photograph in Colorado, he began to develop a body of work in Louisiana, as well as abroad. Within the next fifteen years he was able to work in Italy on five occasions, while serving either as a member of the faculty or director of the LSU in Italy program. In addition, he has also photographed and shown work from Ireland, China, and Japan. In each location his methodology and technique remain consistent–an interest in the landscape, architecture and people. Although Neff often works in the streets with a hand-held camera, his creative fervor comes from observing the subject thoughtfully through the slow, reflective approach required of the 5 x 7 inch view camera.
This most recent work stemmed from his personal experiences and relationships with nearly two hundred people in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf South. During this time he photographed and compiled the stories of these resolute people who survived the onslaught of the storm, the flooding of their homes, and the city they hold so dear.
The work of Thomas Neff is featured in these exhibitions.
(Select the image to view the exhibition page)
Southern Heritage – Preview
Southern Exposures
Contrasts
Street Talk
The work of Thomas Neff is featured in these Theme Collections.
(Select the image to view the theme page)
American South
Architecture – B&W
Asia
Environment – B&W
Europe
Historical
Landscape – B&W
Portraiture – Female
Portraiture – Male
Seascapes – B&W
Mardi Gras Remembrance
March 4, 2014
With Mardi Gras festivities earlier this week, we would like to feature the work of two photographers. Their work, although separated by 68 years, displays a vitality and uniqueness that can only be found in New Orleans.
In 1937 John Gutmann traveled from his newly adopted home in San Francisco to record the 1937 Mardi Gras celebration. On this trip he also traveled through Alabama, rural Georgia and Atlanta, specifically Spelman College. View Gutmann’s artist page for additional images.
Also unique to New Orleans is the post Katrina portraiture of Thomas Neff. The image shown here is of Antoinette K-Doe, owner and operator of Mother-in-Law Lounge, in the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans. Mrs. K-Doe rode out the storm and defended the lounge through the “lawless” period that followed the levee breaks. Unfortunately, five years ago, Ms. K-Doe passed away on Mardi Gras, February 24, 2009 (NY Times obit). Addition work by Neff including more from the Katrina project can be found on his artist page.
Thomas Neff
Katrina Portraits at the Louisiana State Museum
An exhibition of 14 photographs by Thomas Neff was on view in 2011 at the The Presbytere (751 Chartres Street, New Orleans). The images are from Neff’s work: Holding Out and Hanging On: Surviving Hurricane Katrina. These moving portraits, of individuals who rode out Hurricane Katrina in 2005, are traditional silver gelatin prints recorded with a large format (5×7) camera.
This work was featured in the Lumière exhibition: Southern Exposures in June of 2008.
The Louisiana State Museum is mounting a series of changing exhibitions, lectures and events as part of a permanent exhibition Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond.
Thomas Neff - Denver Exhibition
Holding Out and Hanging On, Surviving Hurricane Katrina
Photographs and Narratives by Thomas Neff
Regis University
Department of Fine and Performing Arts
3333 Regis Boulevard, C-4
Denver, Colorado 80221
Thomas Neff, Professor of Art at Louisiana State University, exhibited his project on the survivors of Hurricane Katrina, at Regis University in Denver Colorado. The work is a moving study of the people affected by this natural disaster. The exhibition was on display January through February, 2010. The University of Missouri Press published the book Holding Out and Hanging On, Surviving Hurricane Katrina in December 2007. The work was also featured in the Lumière exhibition, Southern Exposures in 2008.
Thomas Neff: Artist Talk & Gallery Tour
June 28, 2008
Lumière
Thomas Neff: As a Professor of Art at Louisiana State University, and co-editor of Teaching Photography, Tom Neff’s own work has carried him to Italy, Ireland, China and Japan. His most recent project, on Katrina survivors in New Orleans, is a moving study of the people affected. The University of Missouri Press published a book on this important body of work in December 2007. The Ogden Museum exhibited the photographs early in 2008.
Surviving Hurricane Katrina - Thomas Neff
April 15, 2007
Pace Academy, Atlanta Georgia
Thomas Neff, discussed photographs from his recent Ogden Museum exhibition and new book, Holding Out and Hanging On (surviving Katrina)
