Emotion Blur – Part 311, Brainstorm
I got to tell you something…
Today is 311 day. (March 11.) 311 is a band. 311 can be many other things too, from a government help line to a fictional area code. I am posting tonight so that my Advanced Photography students can learn more about me as a photographer with epilepsy. This week I have assigned a great deal of writing. I thought I would give them the chance to create extra work for me if they wish. (It is my version of extra credit.)
I took these photographs last April in San Diego at the 2013 Sharon’s Ride Run Walk for Epilepsy. The event benefited the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County. This photo was taken before the photo at the top of the post.
This photo was taken after the other photos.
So, what brings me here? When I look at the first photo, I realize that I see things differently than most people and that I might be cursed. Like the mythical Cassandra, I have a gift to predict, yet I won’t be believed. All three of these photos are decent, but the first photo caputures many more layers.
516. I was born on May 16. I saw the 516 bib when I took the photo. I saw the 311 bib too and began singing “Amber” (“Brainstorm, take me away from the norm….) Epilepsy is a neurological condition so brainstorms are relevant. I saw the sign for Cassandra’s Kisses and I quickly incorporated the Greek Myth into the photograph. People with epilepsy are often disbelieved until it is too late.
In this photo, I processed many moving parts rapidly and composed a photo with a strong visual narrative. I do not think that most people can do this. I do not know how to turn it off.
Later this month, I am going to attend the 2014 National Walk for Epilepsy in Washington, D.C. this month. I will also photograph the 2014 event in San Diego. On May 17th 2014, I plan to participate in the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California walk.
shades of gold displayed naturally….
Great Pictures! I love the angle the pictures were taken and the editing that was used, you captured the people in the moment. What was the reason you choosed to take these pictures in this walk located in San Diego County last year?
Christina,
Thank you for your compliments and comments. It means a great deal to me that my students appreciate my work, especially the work that is meaningful to me.
For one reason, I photographed the San Diego event, because I want to photograph more epilepsy events. As a person with epilepsy, I believe that we must tell our stories. We need to include others, but we communicate our experiences. Since I use photography to communicate, I must photograph these events. I understand more about our experience than someone who does not have epilepsy. I try to show more than the event. I try to show our experience, our humanity and our kindness. Sometimes, I show kindness and other times I show our struggle. Having epilepsy is not always a happy experience, but sometimes it is joyous.
I also wanted to participate in San Diego County, because my friends and family live there. There were also three important education conferences in San Diego during a six month period. I wanted to extend our network so that more people connected with each other. When I first had epilepsy, these events did not exist. When I first graduated from college, these events did not exist (at least not like this.) Times are changing.
bf
Nice picture, it does not look to be edited at all and appears to be a natural photo.
Stely,
I am not sure if I answered this comment… I try to make pictures that are natural. I edit a little. I crop almost all my photos and I change some of the exposure, but almost only to make the picture appear more natural. Because I have photosensitivy, I wonder if I over-edit some of the lighting. I try to edit photos so that the pictures appear how I see the world.
bf
by the way which what in what dpi was this photo taken? what about aperture?
Stely,
I shoot all my photos in RAW. I processed this photo at 300 dpi. I can look at the metadata and find more information. I might guess first. Do you have any guesses?
i never knew what you go through. your way of living must be challenging.i don’t know what i would do if i was in your shoes.great pictures and why did you decide to tell us this?
Thank you Naomy for the compliments.
There are a few reasons that I wanted to share this with you. For one, I ask a great deal of you and I wanted to respect my students as artists and share more about me. I wanted to share how I approach my process as an artist as well as some of my personal struggles. There are many things I keep private, but there is enough that I am willing to share so that my students feel safer to push themselves as artists.
I am also going to be gone at the end of next week and I wanted you to know where I was going. I was not just taking a vacation, I was doing something that mattered to me. I wanted my students to know, because all of you matter to me too. You guys inspire me to be a better teacher.