My last post here on Bored Panda was about adding extra limbs to photo subjects. This time, it's all about adding cracks and textures. The humans were all photographed in studio or on-location. I photographed the cracks in and around my neighbourhood. (I live in Los Angeles, and our streets/sidewalks are not exactly in pristine condition.)
As for the process, I take a human photo, add a crack/texture layer in photoshop, play around with blend modes/levels, do a lot of masking, and voila... these awkward creations.
Like a lot of my fine-art work, the inspiration for these stems from my own medical struggles over the years. Having Crohn's Disease since 2001, I've lost count of how many times I've been sliced open and put back together again.
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Justin, people just don't seem to understand constant pain and trouble. This photo is of my back. I love you and am praying for your relief from hurt.
Aww, thank you for the kind words, Debbra. Thankfully, my Crohn's is under control these days, so not much physical pain (fingers crossed, knock on wood, and all that jazz). A few years ago, I had my large intestine removed and an ileostomy bag installed, and things have been (mostly) good ever since :)
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Justin hello. I am suffering from EDS for years and 6 years has become serious. I live with all the pain, strong and continuous in all joints of the body I, despite the painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs that I take. I understand what it means to live with this heavy company and srancante every day of their lives, and I also know what it is the tiredness of themselves. your photos are beautiful and meaningful. I am close to you.
Thank you for your kind words, Kikka. My heart goes out to you.
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12. I've had 12 major surgeries. That doesn't count all of the "procedures" These pictures are amazing. I've never seen anything that looks like how I feel. It made me cry, thank you for sharing these and your explanation. Much love to you XOXOXO
Thank you for these kind words, Beth. Also, brb, I'm getting a tissue. Nope, not getting misty eyed here at all :)
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This is truly beautiful and truly inspiring for every one who experienced pain in their lives. A way to express how you feel very honestly without actually saying words. Bravo!! I honestly and truly love your work.
Thank you Tweety. That means the world to me!
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Hi Justin I write about addiction and would love to use your work as a way to illustrate the effects that addictions have on people. The scars that trauma and addiction leaves is not visible in the normal sense, but your pictures are a great way of suggesting that real damage has been done. You can have a look at my writings at: http://www.resourceaddiction.com/naltrexone-alcohol/
I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 28 and given a bilateral mastectomy very soon afterwards. The cancer itself was not such a shock but when I was told what the treatment would be I was stunned. That's what I see in this image, my mental and physical pain and scars from such a major operation.
I can see how some might think these pictures seem sexualized. After all, everything is nowdays. And a few seem...faintly that way to me. But mostly I see myself. Beaten down by constant pain. Withdrawn from those who don't and never will understand how debilitating so many conditions can be. Just so weary of the day to day struggle of trying to live some kind of life. I can very much see what it is you are trying to express. You capture it well.
Hi Bridgette! I've done a few of these cracked texture photos with men too. I just felt that they didn't flow well in the full set.
As a chronic pain sufferer, I identify with these images on a very deep level. I feel like any of these photos are the me that's on the inside, though I'm wearing a suit that shows an undamaged body and a smile. No one knows the pain I suffer every minute of every day, because I don't allow them to see it. The burden is mine to bear.
Thank you for sharing that, Claire. Sending love!
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Mr. Rosenburg, is there any particular reason that you chose women for your photographs? You will have to excuse me in that I am not always clear about meanings in art. But I am intrigued by these pictures nevertheless.
I do these edits with men too. Here's a recent I just finished :) https://www.facebook.com/jsrphotos/photos/a.168749235059.119148.165445790059/10154341251580060/?type=3&theater
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Fascinating photos. I understand what it's like when your own body systematically attacks you. Im sorry for your suffering.
I have to agree with Bridgette here. I have fibromyalgia, and on top of this, I am recovering from surgery for a broken ankle. I know and understand chronic pain. What I can't understand is why, instead of average looking humans experiencing pain, you have taken beautiful women, put them in submissive and sexualized positions, and proceeded to use the trope of women posing in a sort of "beautifully tragic" contortion that makes their torture look sexual. I find it interesting that you chose to make it look like these women have gashes in their skin, as if they've been mauled by Jack the ripper, and that their wounds have been left to blacken and rot (indicating lack of medical care), as opposed to showing the tension and sensations of ongoing medical issues. I find it even more interesting that these women don't look like they're in pain from a medical condition, they just look insecure and preyed upon. That might be an enlightening comparison, if they weren't naked and sexualized.
Kathleen, In response t "look insecure and preyed upon," that is often how I feel w/ regard to my pain issues. I can't escape.
Load More Replies... I can see how some might think these pictures seem sexualized. After all, everything is nowdays. And a few seem...faintly that way to me. But mostly I see myself. Beaten down by constant pain. Withdrawn from those who don't and never will understand how debilitating so many conditions can be. Just so weary of the day to day struggle of trying to live some kind of life. I can very much see what it is you are trying to express. You capture it well.
Hi Bridgette! I've done a few of these cracked texture photos with men too. I just felt that they didn't flow well in the full set.
As a chronic pain sufferer, I identify with these images on a very deep level. I feel like any of these photos are the me that's on the inside, though I'm wearing a suit that shows an undamaged body and a smile. No one knows the pain I suffer every minute of every day, because I don't allow them to see it. The burden is mine to bear.
Thank you for sharing that, Claire. Sending love!
Load More Replies... Mr. Rosenburg, is there any particular reason that you chose women for your photographs? You will have to excuse me in that I am not always clear about meanings in art. But I am intrigued by these pictures nevertheless.
I do these edits with men too. Here's a recent I just finished :) https://www.facebook.com/jsrphotos/photos/a.168749235059.119148.165445790059/10154341251580060/?type=3&theater
Load More Replies... Fascinating photos. I understand what it's like when your own body systematically attacks you. Im sorry for your suffering.
I have to agree with Bridgette here. I have fibromyalgia, and on top of this, I am recovering from surgery for a broken ankle. I know and understand chronic pain. What I can't understand is why, instead of average looking humans experiencing pain, you have taken beautiful women, put them in submissive and sexualized positions, and proceeded to use the trope of women posing in a sort of "beautifully tragic" contortion that makes their torture look sexual. I find it interesting that you chose to make it look like these women have gashes in their skin, as if they've been mauled by Jack the ripper, and that their wounds have been left to blacken and rot (indicating lack of medical care), as opposed to showing the tension and sensations of ongoing medical issues. I find it even more interesting that these women don't look like they're in pain from a medical condition, they just look insecure and preyed upon. That might be an enlightening comparison, if they weren't naked and sexualized.
Kathleen, In response t "look insecure and preyed upon," that is often how I feel w/ regard to my pain issues. I can't escape.
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