Face of America is described by photographer Mark McCambridgeas as a “visual odyssey of the Western Hemisphere as told by the faces of its inhabitants.”

Buenos Aires-Abel A. Caro, Salesman (Mark McCambridge)

The project documents faces from Alaska to Argentina, seeking to capture the face of America in the 21st century. In 2010, Mark will spend part of the year in Spain and expand the scope of the project.

I had the opportunity to interview Mark regarding his Face of America project:

1. Tell me about yourself. Who are you and what do you do?

Hi Nancy! My name is Mark McCambridge. I’m originally from Corvallis, OR, and living in Wilmington, NC at the moment. I’m pursuing an international MBA/MA Business from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, and the Unversitat de Valencia in Valencia, Spain.

2. What inspired this project?

My influences, cliché though it may sound, are people. I am fascinated by the human face, which lead me to start the Face of America project, though it’s currently in a bit of a holding pattern as I’ve transitioned away from inter-Americas travel and changed course in my personal and professional life by staying in one place for a while with the MBA program.

3. What photographers influence you?

I was initially drawn into pursuing photography by the work of Ansel Adams and Steve McCurry. While Adams’ work needs little introduction, McCurry is the man behind the famous “Afghan Girl” portrait that appeared decades ago in National Geographic. He is an immensely talented portrait and environmental photographer, and his work informed much of what I attempt behind the lens. His lighting, backgrounds, and capture of expressions are all equally impressive.

Lima, Peru-Alfonso Trujillo Rodriguez, sub-brigadier, Peruvian national police (Mark McCambridge)

4. When did you start the project and how long did it take you to work your way from Alaska to Argentina?

I began the Face of America project in June of 2008 while working as a deckhand on the F/V Owyhee, a 58ft salmon-seiner based out of Juneau, AK. The hardiness, both physical and spiritual, of Alaskans is something that provided endless inspiration, and a healthy distraction from the labor on deck (when we had a break.)

5. What is the significance of the face? And what do you look for in a great face to capture?

Faces have always fascinated me. Perhaps it’s the way they are a momentary glimpse “into the soul”. Maybe it’s that I never remember names but I almost always remember faces. Some combination of my psychological makeup triggered that desire. When I shoot portraits, many times the face represents the story that I experience with the person. While I try to keep the face as the focal point in the image, occasionally elements of environment enter the frame. I can’t say I have a definitive answer to use of environment in creating the portrait, but that always seems to work itself out. I usually am captivated by people’s eyes. Everything else follows the eyes.

6. Where did you stop along the way?

My trip was initially planned to be a van-based voyage from Alaska to Argentina. My travel partner unfortunately couldn’t swing the trip, so I ended up traveling solo, mostly by air, to Peru, Brasil (where I lived for 5 months), Argentina, and Mexico City. The initial meta-theme of the project, a day-to-day transition from community to community from the northern-most part of America to the most-southern, gave way to the reality of time and money, unfortunately. However, I do plan on completing the voyage at some point in the (hopefully near) future.

Brooklyn, NY-Julia Colavita artist/yogi (Mark McCambridge)

7. Your travel photography, viewable on your blog, is also stunning. What inspires your travel photography and how do decide how to set up the shot? What gear do you use?

On a similar note to portraiture, travel photography is a little inexplicable. Depending on my state of mind, I’m alternately interested in fine detail as much as large-scale landscape. Color, light, and the interplay between the two frequently bring it all together. I guess it’s a good time to talk about gear: I shoot with a Canon 5d (1^st generation full-frame digital) and a 50mm f1.2 lens. I’m of the school of thought that lenses are really where to put your money, and I love the 50mm 1.2. I’m planning on picking up a 24mm f1.4 before I begin my next trip to Spain and hopefully a good portion of North Africa in 2010. At that point, I think the Face of America project will transition to a separate (but similar) Face-based platform. I’ll definitely let you know what I come up with, and would love any thoughts or suggestions-

8. What advice would you give people in shooting powerful portraits?

If you are just starting out shooting portraits, here’s a few thoughts to include in your process. Avoid shooting in direct sunlight. It’s unflattering to the face. Use clean backgrounds, and look for color or linear contrast to your subject in an attempt to find a complimentary combination. I always love to shoot someone who is standing in shadow but has bright light reflected on their face. It creates a lovely warm glow and makes the image “pop” against a dark background. Find people you love, and shoot their portrait. Love helps (cliché, again. But true). Some of my favorite portraits are of my family members.

Juneau, Alaska-Henry Webb, fisherman + Stellar, dog (Mark McCambridge)

9. What is your favorite “face” from the project?

I can’t say I have a “favorite” face from the project. I think I’ll only have the answer to that question 30 years from now…

To see more of Mark’s work visit Face of America and his website ATLAS FOTO.