After nearly four decades as a professional photojournalist documenting life’s most public and private moments, award-winning photographer Jean Shifrin has turned her lens toward something quieter—but no less powerful. Her new book, Rise Above: On Top of Stone Mountain, is a decade-long visual study of human behavior, connection, and shared experience in one of Georgia’s most complex and iconic public spaces.
Shot entirely on an iPhone, Rise Above reflects Shifrin’s lifelong approach to what she calls “quiet observation”—the practice of patiently watching life unfold without interruption or intrusion. The project marks a new chapter in her career: after years of photographing inside homes, hospitals, and crisis scenes for major newspapers, Shifrin now works exclusively in public spaces, where human stories reveal themselves naturally.
“I have always been fascinated by people—what they do, how they live, how they interact with one another,” Shifrin says. “I never tire of observing human behavior and interaction.”
Over ten years, Shifrin climbed the mile-long trail to the top of Stone Mountain, the world’s largest exposed granite outcrop. There, she documented a wide spectrum of everyday life. Despite the mountain’s controversial history, the summit today functions as a shared public common, one where diverse cultures, languages, and traditions coexist in the open air.
After nearly 40 years of using professional 35mm and medium-format cameras, Shifrin chose a smartphone for this project for a simple reason: invisibility.
Traditional camera equipment can draw attention and alter behavior. The iPhone allowed her to blend in among visitors, most of whom were already taking photos themselves.
Throughout her career—recognized by honors including a Nikon Documentary Grant, an Overseas Press Award, and induction into the Missouri Photojournalism Hall of Fame—Shifrin has learned a consistent truth: human experiences are more alike than different.

Visit https://www.shifrinphotography.com/ to learn more.

About the Author:

Jean Shifrin is an award-winning documentary photographer and former staff photojournalist for The Kansas City Star and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Her work has earned numerous accolades, including a Nikon Documentary Sabbatical Grant and an Overseas Press Award. She lives in Atlanta with her partner and continues to explore themes of identity, place, and belonging through her photography.