The work documents the complex social and personal realities of individuals recovering from addiction and substance abuse. Edser's photographs are intimate, personal, and deeply moving, and capture the often harsh realities of social isolation and reproach. When asked about her work, Edser said ‘…the enemy is the chemistry of addiction and depression, and there are many casualties. But there are also victories. It’s both of these that I seek to document. I began photographing some of the people I’ve come to know in the past two years, who’ve entered the recovery culture and embarked on a journey of hope and renewal...of amelioration. From housewives hooked on codeine to college high-achievers hiding self-inflicted scars; there's an intense human experience that extends across race, class and cultural divisions, and has so far gone largely unacknowledged'.

Tracy Edser is a graduate of the Market Photo Workshop's Photojournalism and Documentary Photography Programme, and was awarded the Tierney Fellowship grant in 2008. She lives and works in Johannesburg.

The Tierney Fellowship was created in 2003 by The Tierney Family Foundation to support emerging artists in the field of photography. The primary goal of the Fellowship is to find aspiring artists who will be tomorrow's leaders and to assist them in overcoming challenges that photographers face at the start of their careers. Tracy Edser, the first recipient of The Tierney Fellowship at the Market Photo Workshop, exhibited her body of work in a solo exhibition, Amelioration. Mikhael Subotzky mentored Edser. Simangele Kalisa, the second recipient, exhibited her body of work at a Joint Tierney Exhibition at the Substation Gallery, Wits University, with fellows Monique Pelser and Ariane Questiaux. Jo Ractliffe mentored Kalisa. Thabiso Sekgala(1981-2014), the third recipient, exhibited a body of work entitled Homeland at The Photo Workshop Gallery in April 2011. Mikhael Subotzky also mentored Sekgala. Mack Magagane, the fourth recipient, exhibited his work called ...in this city, a reflection of Johannesburg city by night. The exhibition opened in April 2013 at The Photo Workshop Gallery. Jo Ractliffe also mentored Mack Magagane. Lebohang Kganye, the fifth recipient, exhibited her work Ke lefa laka, a research into her family history using family photographs, testimonies from family members as well as personal narratives. Nontobeko Ntombela and Mary Sibande mentored Kganye. Sipho Gongxeka The sixth recipient, Sipho Gongxeka, was mentored by the renowned South African photographer Pieter Hugo. Sipho’s exhibition, Skeem’ Saka, opened at The Photo Workshop Gallery in July 2014. Skeem’ Saka aims to create a dialogue with the audience on issues relating to masculinity; how men view themselves and the perception society has on the male figure. Tracey Edser is the first recipient of the Tierney Fellowship at the Market Photo Workshop.