Fonville Winans moved to Louisiana
from Texas in the 1930s and fell in love with the bayou country. "It was
like Africa or some other exotic place: palmettos, moss, alligators!"
Winans began making 16-mm movies of the bayous, but later turned to still
photography. He supported himself as a commercial portrait photographer while
continuing to pursue his interest in the bayou country. Native Shrimpman recalls
portraits by Walker Evans and Jack Delano of working-class people whose tenuous
struggle was made all the more difficult by the Great Depression.

Many people have made their livelihood
on the bayous and waterways of Louisiana by hunting and fishing. The
weather-worn appearance of the shrimpman as he smokes a hand-rolled cigarette
is evidence of this difficult outdoor life. This image continues to represent
all those involved in this time-honored profession.