mysteryscribe
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2006
- Messages
- 6,071
- Reaction score
- 3
- Location
- in the middle of north carolina
- Website
- retrophotoservice.2ya.com
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
In a thread on this piece of cloth something has been said that should probably be explored. A bit about depression and photography being a help.. I wonder if it doesn't go farther than that even. With a lot of possible ramifications.
Maybe the theroputic value of photography is a two edged sword. The biggest problem with some depression I think is not being able to break the circle that is really a spiral. Photography gets one out of that ME spiral and moves the mind in a differnt direction.
I remember my mother telling about having depression during menopause. We grew up poor in a textile village in the south usa. Her doctor (GP) told her that when she was depressed and felt like murdering her children, to take a drive. The act of manipulting the gears and clutch tended to force her and presumably others to think about things other than there own problems. Now I'm no doctor but the 1950 advice and the parallel between the two mechanical devices is obvious. Okay this isn't my point really.
When we shoot pictures don't we really exist in a different world. You are viewing the scene, you are creating the scene, but are you (in your mind) part of the scene?
Example: I once worked for the local police department as a photographer/evidence collector type person. I have walked through more than one building in the dead of night with a camera(Koni Omega). Even going in with the first officers to make pictures of the apprehension of suspects. More than one of who was armed, but somehow the fear of what I had done was only present after I lowered the camera. While I was shooting the film, I wasn't really in danger, after all I was just observing/ I wasn't really there.
I have heard guys say this mind set isn't there for them, but I have stepped into a hundred holes while making outdoor portraits. Ruined more than one pair of shoes stepping into a creek I never saw ect. Somehow I doubt that I am unique in this.
So am I or is it a tunnel vision that we all share?
Maybe the theroputic value of photography is a two edged sword. The biggest problem with some depression I think is not being able to break the circle that is really a spiral. Photography gets one out of that ME spiral and moves the mind in a differnt direction.
I remember my mother telling about having depression during menopause. We grew up poor in a textile village in the south usa. Her doctor (GP) told her that when she was depressed and felt like murdering her children, to take a drive. The act of manipulting the gears and clutch tended to force her and presumably others to think about things other than there own problems. Now I'm no doctor but the 1950 advice and the parallel between the two mechanical devices is obvious. Okay this isn't my point really.
When we shoot pictures don't we really exist in a different world. You are viewing the scene, you are creating the scene, but are you (in your mind) part of the scene?
Example: I once worked for the local police department as a photographer/evidence collector type person. I have walked through more than one building in the dead of night with a camera(Koni Omega). Even going in with the first officers to make pictures of the apprehension of suspects. More than one of who was armed, but somehow the fear of what I had done was only present after I lowered the camera. While I was shooting the film, I wasn't really in danger, after all I was just observing/ I wasn't really there.
I have heard guys say this mind set isn't there for them, but I have stepped into a hundred holes while making outdoor portraits. Ruined more than one pair of shoes stepping into a creek I never saw ect. Somehow I doubt that I am unique in this.
So am I or is it a tunnel vision that we all share?