Mady de la Ossa, a senior journalism and corporate communications major, unveiled on April 4 her photo essay depicting the three main indigenous groups of Panama.
The photos line thewalls of the second floor of the McEwen Communications building.
Ossa said the idea to photographPanama citizens in their homeland was borne three years ago when she tookassistant professor Randy Piland’s photojournalism class. Ossa, a native ofPanama herself, signed up for an independent study with Piland and made thetraveled to the country during Winter Term in 2007.
“I wanted to bring pictures backso people could see Panama,” Ossa said. “I wanted to show people where I’m fromand the beauty of (Panama).”
Piland said typically whenphotographers endeavor to do picture stories, they focus on a specific angle orstory or group. Ossa charted another course, as she photographed fiveindigenous groups. She wanted to capture the diversity between the people. (Shenarrowed it down to three groups for the display.)
“A lot of people in the (United)States haven’t seen things like this,” said Ossa, who took more than 400photographs. “(The pictures) are a window for them to see a little bit of mycountry.”
Ossa said she was thrilled withthe final product, but she’s far from finished with this project. She said sheis completing a coffee table book for her final senior seminar project thatwill feature her photos and more explanation about the work she did. The bookwill be written in both English and Spanish.
After she graduates in May, Ossasaid she is going to move to New York, where she’ll look for a job injournalism or communications. Her ultimate goal is to find a job in which shecan promote her country.
Piland, too, was pleased withOssa’s work.
“It’s a beautiful set ofpictures,” he said. “It shows people in their natural setting. That’s whatphoto stories should be. They should show people in their natural environmentwithout manipulating the scene.”
The display will remain until theend of the semester.