JONATHAN CHERRY: Who are some of your photographic heroes?

DAVID WRIGHT: Harry Callahan, Alec Soth, Emmet Gowin, Dan Winters. Erika Larsen is a great friend and photographer, and has been an enormous inspiration in my life.

JC: What is it that has drawn you to Uganda?

DW: I wanted to leave the United States and experience how much of the world lives each day. I wanted to learn about myself and the world through photography.

JC: How highly do you value the experience of photographing?

DW: Immensely. I have the highest respect for photography and the experiences that come along with making photographs.

JC: Which such positive feedback from your Alebtong series - how easy was it to decide the final edit?

DW: I spent 3 months editing the work. Some days I would begin editing before sun up and stop editing after sun down, and other days I would remove myself from the work completely. It was the first major body of work I was comfortable with and the experience was immensely profound. Although I edit more quickly now, I needed 3 months to digest it all.

JC: Did the Alebtong series develop over time, if so, what were your findings?

DW: I stayed in Uganda for 2 months and Alebtong for 5-6 weeks. The first 2 weeks in Alebtong I made no photographs, primarily because I needed a piece of equipment I did not have. At the time it was frustrating but these 2 weeks allowed for greater connection to the people and community. I earned their trust through simple, honest interaction and this allowed for better image making and the most remarkable experience. I learned the local language, walked in the bush by myself meeting folks along the way, and drank Cokes with friends and strangers in the village after the sunset. I was teaching photography workshops sponsored by Fujifilm USA to 40 students. I was the only American and white person in the village of 1,000 people.

JC: What is next for you and in 2010 photographically?

DW: Right now I’m researching 2 major projects that I will begin making later this summer.

JC: Any words of wisdom for recent photography graduates?

DW: Be a good person, be passionate about the work you’re making, and good things will come your way.