New Series - Not Safe For Children

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

03/21/2010 01:22:13 AM · #1

I have just completed a series of 4 images based around Childhood Trauma. I am not glorifying these experiences but concentrating on the experiences themselves and how they affect your lives. They may seem trivial to others, but at the time they have a large effect on you and can determine how you deal with future experiences in your life.

We have all had bad childhood experiences but so many don't realise how much they alter your choices in life.

These images all involve children but I felt they may not be suitable for most children to view. I can tell you that the children involved in these shoots over the last few months had a lot of fun and laughter as we did take after take. I spoke to each child prior and made sure they were comfortable with what we were going to be shooting. Parents were present at the time of the shoots.

I was unsure whether to put these images online due to their graphic nature, but I felt that many of you could also relate to these experiences that I am portraying.

So here are the images....whether you like them or not, it does not matter. But if it helps you understand why you do somethings the way you do...than it is well worth it.

They have not been titled as I feel that people will read each one differently without having a title to obscure the image and what it has to offer.

Leo

Apple iPhone Xr

03/21/2010 01:29:06 AM · #2

Very powerful images. Very nice work. I think you're right not giving the images a title as you said, every viewer will have their own interpretation.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

03/21/2010 01:40:40 AM · #3

Powerful imagery. I related personally to several of them.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

03/21/2010 01:44:19 AM · #4

Yo_Spiff...that's good. That is what I wanted. Many don't speak of these experiences but many suffer there consequences in silence.

The_Tourist - I thought they may be powerful styles of images when the idea first came to me. And to my knowledge, I don't think anyone else has tried covering this area...so I knew that they will be strong images, but they will be controversial as well. And for that reason, I knew many photographers wouldn't attempt such a theme.

Gordon_1

Nikon D800

03/21/2010 01:57:18 AM · #5

Originally posted by Judi:

Yo_Spiff...that's good. That is what I wanted. Many don't speak of these experiences but many suffer there consequences in silence.

The_Tourist - I thought they may be powerful styles of images when the idea first came to me. And to my knowledge, I don't think anyone else has tried covering this area...so I knew that they will be strong images, but they will be controversial as well. And for that reason, I knew many photographers wouldn't attempt such a theme.

Help at time was never there and if you said something about u were told to shut the f*%$kup so thats what some did

Dr.Confuser

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

03/21/2010 02:25:19 AM · #6

Originally posted by Judi:

Powerful images. Well concieved and executed. Well done ... But you don't know me and it's arrogant to channel me.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

03/21/2010 02:26:49 AM · #7

Originally posted by Dr.Confuser:

Originally posted by Judi:
I have just completed a series of 4 images based around Childhood Trauma. I am not glorifying these experiences but concentrating on the experiences themselves and how they affect your lives. They may seem trivial to others, but at the time they have a large effect on you and can determine how you deal with future experiences in your life.

Powerful images. Well concieved and executed. Well done ... But you don't know me and it's arrogant to channel me.

I apologize if you felt I was channeling you. But I was generalizing.....not finger pointing.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

03/21/2010 02:53:58 AM · #8

I like the idea and the series, they are certainly powerful and well done. However, I do have one or two nits to pick with how the images fit together as a series. Take it as you wish. For me, the 2nd image, the one with the the boy and the slingshot seems out of place from a technique standpoint with the multiple images being ONLY present in this one image. The fact that the images are different aspect ratios makes them different and each one is not like the others. It may just be a side effect of how they're presented here, directly adjacent to each other, but I did pick up on the dissimilarity.

Thanks for sharing these.

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

03/21/2010 03:08:05 AM · #9

Originally posted by Spork99:

Actually I am pleased you pointed that out. Each one is a different crop ratio...different situation, different processing and yet they all fit into the same series...indicating that no two situations are alike and yet they all have a similar effect on a person. (Note...I didn't use the term Ã½ou'!!!!)

And as for multiple images....even though the balloon image is obviously multiple images...they are all in fact done with multiple images. The challenge entry was a single image...but the re-edit used more than one image.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

03/21/2010 03:23:48 AM · #10

Originally posted by Spork99:

I second this, the boy and slingshot is OOP. Don't really get the tragedy or story on that one.. Compared to the crystal clarity of the other three, I think it's pretty weak in comparison... Then again WTF do I know. :)

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

03/21/2010 03:31:18 AM · #11

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Originally posted by Spork99:
I like the idea and the series, they are certainly powerful and well done. However, I do have one or two nits to pick with how the images fit together as a series. Take it as you wish. For me, the 2nd image, the one with the the boy and the slingshot seems out of place from a technique standpoint with the multiple images being ONLY present in this one image. The fact that the images are different aspect ratios makes them different and each one is not like the others. It may just be a side effect of how they're presented here, directly adjacent to each other, but I did pick up on the dissimilarity.

Thanks for sharing these.

I second this, the boy and slingshot is OOP. Don't really get the tragedy or story on that one.. Compared to the crystal clarity of the other three, I think it's pretty weak in comparison... Then again WTF do I know. :)

You know more than you realise. The balloon image can be taken in many ways...but more so by people who have experienced that situation.

In general, the boy wants to fit in with the other kids, but can never seem to. There is always someone ruining it for him. So he tries and tries...and he gets angry at times. The evil boy within him lashes out and makes the situation worse. He just doesn't know what to do. He doesn't know how to be like the others...he feels so alone and constantly fights with the anger within him.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

03/21/2010 03:38:24 AM · #12

Originally posted by Judi:

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Originally posted by Spork99:
I like the idea and the series, they are certainly powerful and well done. However, I do have one or two nits to pick with how the images fit together as a series. Take it as you wish. For me, the 2nd image, the one with the the boy and the slingshot seems out of place from a technique standpoint with the multiple images being ONLY present in this one image. The fact that the images are different aspect ratios makes them different and each one is not like the others. It may just be a side effect of how they're presented here, directly adjacent to each other, but I did pick up on the dissimilarity.

Thanks for sharing these.

I second this, the boy and slingshot is OOP. Don't really get the tragedy or story on that one.. Compared to the crystal clarity of the other three, I think it's pretty weak in comparison... Then again WTF do I know. :)

You know more than you realise. The balloon image can be taken in many ways...but more so by people who have experienced that situation.

In general, the boy wants to fit in with the other kids, but can never seem to. There is always someone ruining it for him. So he tries and tries...and he gets angry at times. The evil boy within him lashes out and makes the situation worse. He just doesn't know what to do. He doesn't know how to be like the others...he feels so alone and constantly fights with the anger within him.

FWIW that's what I would have guessed.. I just think it's #4 of 4. Still a damn good image, just (IMHO) a step below the AWESOMENESS of the other three.

-Oh, please do keep this up, I want more!!! And I think this is powerful, super powerful.. When's your first exhibit? (seriously.)

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

03/21/2010 03:48:13 AM · #13

Originally posted by coryboehne:

That is something I have been thinking about. But it will take a little while longer as this style of photography is certainly not suited to all children or their parents. In these 4 images no person is used in more than one photo to try and keep the authenticity feel about them.....and less of a setup photo.

Cory

Canon EOS-1D Mark IV

03/21/2010 03:56:53 AM · #14

Originally posted by Judi:

Originally posted by coryboehne:

FWIW that's what I would have guessed.. I just think it's #4 of 4. Still a damn good image, just (IMHO) a step below the AWESOMENESS of the other three.

-Oh, please do keep this up, I want more!!! And I think this is powerful, super powerful.. When's your first exhibit? (seriously.)

That is something I have been thinking about. But it will take a little while longer as this style of photography is certainly not suited to all children or their parents. In these 4 images no person is used in more than one photo to try and keep the authenticity feel about them.....and less of a setup photo.

No doubt. Have you considered trading free shoots in return for the children modeling for your art? If that doesn't work, this is good enough to be worth actually throwing around a few $$ to get children to model..

Difficult assignment you've taken on here :)

ETA: forget the kids, where did you get the dog.. If that thing is alive (and I know that there are plenty of DPC'ers who would haul a dead dog home for this...), it's one hell of a model!

Message edited by author 2010-03-21 03:58:43.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

03/21/2010 04:01:17 AM · #15

Originally posted by coryboehne:

Originally posted by Judi:

Originally posted by coryboehne:

FWIW that's what I would have guessed.. I just think it's #4 of 4. Still a damn good image, just (IMHO) a step below the AWESOMENESS of the other three.

-Oh, please do keep this up, I want more!!! And I think this is powerful, super powerful.. When's your first exhibit? (seriously.)

That is something I have been thinking about. But it will take a little while longer as this style of photography is certainly not suited to all children or their parents. In these 4 images no person is used in more than one photo to try and keep the authenticity feel about them.....and less of a setup photo.

No doubt. Have you considered trading free shoots in return for the children modeling for your art? If that doesn't work, this is good enough to be worth actually throwing around a few $$ to get children to model..

Difficult assignment you've taken on here :)

I don't have a problem with children modeling for me...they are usually very keen to and the parents ask if they can come along to join in the fun. (I prefer to have the parents there anyway) None of them have indicated any concern for the children. BUT....it is the particular theme of this series which can be nervy for some....and that is where I have to be careful as the finished result can be unsettling for some parents. Seeing their child being beaten up or covered in blood or their pet in a death situation...isn't always a comfortable thing for them. And I can fully understand that. But I will continue to try and continue with this series.

TrollMan

Fujifilm X-T4

Fujifilm XF 35mm f/1.4

03/21/2010 05:40:16 AM · #16

Very thought provoking series Judi and I love it. I'm very happy that you are amongst us here at DPC.

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

03/21/2010 06:06:04 AM · #17

very cool. Extremely well done. The polish on them is fantastic.

I think the one for editing excellence is the first one. The removal of the yellows gives a very powerful tone. Every inch of the pic works very well.

Each of them is very good.

see

Canon PowerShot S95

03/21/2010 06:47:21 AM · #18

Not necessarily safe for adults either, especially oneâ��s effected either personally or with loved ones personally involved with. Indeed powerful images, and a series I think you need to continue..

FourPointX

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/21/2010 08:57:38 AM · #19

for me, this was powerful and moving and well done.

Joe

posthumous

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

03/21/2010 09:42:06 AM · #20

Originally posted by The_Tourist:

every viewer will have their own interpretation.

Really? What is this big range of interpretation of which you speak? Name a few.