The photo essay highlights a selection of six images from a larger project that Eich has undertaken involving life in Southeast Ohio and the myriad issues and realities that shape the people and landscape of the region.

"The longer that I spend in the area, the more I see that there are deep-seated issues that have influenced the development of local communities," Eich said. These include not only geographic isolation and poverty, he said, but also "a very strong sense of family and community."

The published photos focus on the village of Chauncey and are part of a 13-image gallery selected by the magazine's editors. All 13 images are scheduled to appear at newsweek.com, Eich said. Newsweek editors chose the images from a selection of Eich's work after meeting with him in New York earlier this spring.

Eich began photographing the people of Chauncey during his sophomore year and has expanded his project to include the towns of Carbondale, Mineral and Nelsonville.

Named the 2006 College Photographer of the Year, Eich recently completed work on a yet-unpublished feature about international studies on university campuses for The New York Times and will serve an internship with National Geographic in Washington, D.C., this summer.