Paint - Photo Essay Rough Draft

you are:

the fingers that push back my hair

heroin and needles

gasp

burning cigarettes

the tuning of guitars

that scar on my arm

i am:

older than i was

passive in a bad way

oh, babe

flannel sheets in May

coffee with soy

that river bed

we were:

tattoos and freckles

frowned upon

good for each other

stop

too different

wildflowers

no

spring fever

too emotional for me

i think it’s best if you

just

leave.

- K. Weyerbacher, 2013

           

One in four women in the United States have been victims of domestic violence. Every two minutes, someone is sexually assaulted. We are assaulted not only in this physical way, but also by the media. Pictures of women whose beauty and pant size is unattainable greet us from magazines, televisions, advertisements and our laptops. We strive to morph into someone else’s beauty. We contort ourselves to become someone we’re not, harming our self-confidence and our true inner worth.

         We may lack self-confidence. We may carry scars from an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend. We may be healing from a traumatic childhood. We may hate our love handles, our eyebrows, our hair, our shoe size, our cup size, our broad shoulders or narrow hips; we may loathe our thin lips or large nose. We may be struggling to ask for help. We may be scared to tell someone the truth. We may be ashamed of what happened to us or trying with all our might to forgive the people who did it to us. I don’t know a person, male or female, who hasn’t been affected in some way by these issues. We may be victims, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t strong. Regardless of what factors may paint our picture a little dark at some points in our life, they do not make up the entire portrait. They are simply strokes on the canvas, a shadow that defines a strong jaw and fierceness in the eye.

           Intelligence, courage and kindness shine through your physical features. Self-confidence and perseverance appear as a gleam in the eye. Trustworthiness and aptitude appear along the jaw line. Compassion appears at the corners of the lips. These many pigments and oils, a masterpiece of mediums, paint us. If only each of us could see how the events in our lives make our picture even richer.

Websites:

http://www.rainn.org/

http://www.raderprograms.com/

http://www.oneinfourusa.org/index.php

        

Photo Essay

Paint

            One in four women in the United States have been victims of domestic violence. Every two minutes, someone is sexually assaulted. We are assaulted not only in this physical way, but also by the media. Pictures of women whose beauty and pant size is unattainable greet us from magazines, televisions, advertisements and our laptops. We strive to morph into someone else’s beauty. We contort ourselves to become someone we’re not, harming our self-confidence and our true inner worth.

            We need not be a statistic. Beauty is more than meets the eye. We may be victims of domestic violence or sexual assault, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t inherently valuable. I don’t know a person, male or female, who hasn’t been affected in some way by these issues. Just like this girl in the picture, we don’t have to taint our sexuality or our femininity with our lack of self-worth. Regardless of what factors may paint our picture a little dark at some points in our life, they do not make up the entire portrait. They are simply strokes on the canvas, a shadow that defines a strong jaw and fierceness in the eye.

            The girl in these photos is stunning. She doesn’t see it, but she is. She has a loving boyfriend and family and friends that tell her that all the time, but she doesn’t see it. She compares herself to people she sees on the street, airbrushed photos on the pages of magazines and faces on the movie screen. Her own self doubt clouds and distorts the reflection she sees in the mirror. I took these photos in an attempt to capture her beauty. I wanted her to see what everyone else does, but to also see what her own hand is capable of doing to that beauty. She is not only visually attractive, but also intellectually stunning. I wouldn’t want anyone to think that it is simply his or her full lips or striking nose that makes them appealing to the masses. Intelligence, courage and kindness shine through your physical features. Self-confidence and perseverance appear as a gleam in the eye. Trustworthiness and aptitude appear along the jaw line. Compassion appears at the corners of the lips. These many pigments and oils, a masterpiece of mediums, paint us. If only each of us could see how the events in our lives make our picture even richer.

            For my final project, I wish to take photos of several women I know, with paint representing the different negative aspects of their lives and how it shapes them as a person. I know many women that have been victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, including myself, but I don’t see this as a defining characteristic of my life. Instead, I view these experiences as pieces that simply make up the whole picture. I hope to convey their stories with a photo, which will be more difficult than writing their biographies, I fear. 

Photo Essay: Humans of New York

Humans of New York (HONY) provides a way for us as outsiders to take a look into the private thoughts and experiences of strangers in New York City. This inspiring photo essay, created by a guy named Brandon, has exploded into a Facebook phenomenon, with some 1,224,282 likes as of...2 seconds ago. How many times a day do we pass strangers whose stories we will never know? I'm incredibly fond of this project and have been following it for over a year, because it's simple.

Brandon roams the streets of New York, writing stories of the inhabitants of New York City using only a photograph and a caption. Sometimes the photos don't need words, but Brandon has evolved the project in such a way that makes you think twice about the people you pass on the street every day. He asks the people he photographs questions like, "If you could give one piece of advice to a large group of people, what would it be?" or "What was the happiest moment of your life?" My personal favorite is, "What's your greatest struggle right now?" These broad, looming questions turn into some of the most inspiring responses by the most unassuming people. Homeless men spew their stories of loss and bankruptcy. Professionals admit to their drug habits. Children smile as they respond in blatant truth. These people’s answers are awe-inspiring and wise. Looking at these photos and the stories that go along with them force you to look at the strangers you see everyday in a different light. You begin wondering how they would answer the question. You begin wondering how you would answer the question.

It’s simple. This photo essay has managed to capture the essence of every single human rights movement that has ever been created (okay, that’s an exaggeration, but follow with me…). We are all equal. We all have something important to say. We all have stories to share and wisdom to bestow. No matter your vocation, your color, your hair color, your religion, or who you choose to love. HONY cracks open the exterior to shed light on what makes us as humans so incredibly beautiful. Just because we are equal doesn’t mean we are the same.

I encourage you all to take a look at HONY and tune in every now and then. There is a Facebook page, a website as well as a recently added Instagram account. Brandon uploads several pictures a day and is dedicated to his work. He often takes up collections to donate to different organization and projects he learns about while listening to these people’s stories and is not shy to shed light on delicate subjects. It’s so beautiful and yet so simple.

Enjoy!

Humans of New York