Southern Grit -Two Perspectives

Photographs by Earl Warren and Jill Whitesell were on display October 11^th through 31^st.

Clinton, KY native, Earl Warren’s interest in photography began at Murray State University when, as a physics major, he and a few other students taught themselves basic photography. He began as a freelance photographer, and eventually became MSU’s first university photographer.

As a Pulitzer nominated photographer, his career has included a position as photojournalist with the Tallahassee Democrat in Tallahassee, FL; Chief State Photographer and Director of Photographic Services for the state of Tennessee in Nashville, as well as photographer for the governor of Tennessee; and Director of Media Services with Baptist Hospital in Nashville. Warren now resides in South Fulton, TN, where he still shoots photographs and occasionally writes short stories and produces radio features.

Jill Whitesell’s interest in photography was kindled while studying photojournalism and art at MSU. After 23 years of using the camera in a family environment, she began shooting and printing digital photos as a purely creative outlet.

On her first try, she won second place in the 2005 Paducah Summer Festival Photo Competition, and has continuously shown there and in other local competitions, including the Ice House Gallery. Jill’s eye tends toward the dynamic, whimsical interplay of people, animals, and objects in their respective environments. Jill and family live on a small farm in Hickman County.