Clarence John Laughlin was an American photographer who worked in and around the southern US. Laughlin developed a sort of gothic surrealism. Some of my favorite images come from his book, Ghosts Along the Mississippi, which was published in 1948.

Although not formally educated, Laughlin was greatly influenced by his love of literature. He had aspirations to be a writer and was particularly drawn to the style of French symbolism.

Laughlin taught himself photography and began his career with a focus on architecture. Eventually he worked with Edward Steichen at Vogue, but much of his photographic career was spent on personal projects. His aesthetic tended to focus on geometric abstractions, architecture and staged scenes involving models, costumes and props. Just my cup of tea