Suicidal

[Overbeyond]

to get some things straight.

some of you got it. the photo is staged. i made up the story to get some reactions about the photo. instead i got 20 comments on how bad friend i was and other things about suicide. i can admit that the story was a bit harsh, maybe a bit to realistic for many. but the photo got tons of reactions and i think the photo woke some feelings in many of you. thats exactly the purpose of a good photo.

anyway, if the photo offended anyone; im sorry for not leaving a warning in the topic.
maybe anyone have something else to say now that you know its not "real".

Sorry the photo did not get tons of reactions. Your stupidity did.
Your text and sincerity with the photograph was transparant and your explanation above confirms to me that you are a prat with no credibility.

[amithi]

to get some things straight.

some of you got it. the photo is staged. i made up the story to get some reactions about the photo. instead i got 20 comments on how bad friend i was and other things about suicide. i can admit that the story was a bit harsh, maybe a bit to realistic for many. but the photo got tons of reactions and i think the photo woke some feelings in many of you. thats exactly the purpose of a good photo.

anyway, if the photo offended anyone; im sorry for not leaving a warning in the topic.
maybe anyone have something else to say now that you know its not "real".

Oh, well in that case... no, its still a little much. Looks like a frozen moment in a suspense movie (like the suicide scene in "The 6th Sense" or something). I'm still a newbie so I can't critique the technical stuff really. What I will say is that its hard to look at the shot for more than a few seconds because of the feelings it evokes. Therefore, I say it's not that great of a photo, since it's not really something one can enjoy time and again.

[LeeIs]

but the photo got tons of reactions and i think the photo woke some feelings in many of you. thats exactly the purpose of a good photo.

Your story got the reaction. Just clarifying.

[Galningen]

Your story got the reaction. Just clarifying.

wouldnt be the same if this thread had the same story and a photo of a smiling boy, now would it?

just wondering

edit: and for you who said i suck at taking photos etc. suck on this Bmx Riding

was featured photo a few months ago..

i think its funny to see the ractions and personal attacks after i posted that its staged.

[Skyman]

Human suffering is always a topic people are intrigued with. Plenty of photographers have explored far darker concepts and many of them have won the pulitzer with the resulting images. Public reaction to these photos has sometimes been so severe that the photographer has themselves committed suicide. I am sure many of you recal Kevin Carter's New York Times winning shot of the sudhanese child with a vulture in the background waiting for the child to die. Kevin obeyed the un order not to touch children (as disease was killing more than the famine and the well fed white journalists were contributing to it's spread, but i digress) public outcry against Kevin was so severe he committed suicide later the same year. This begs the question at what point do should we put down our cameras and help? Those who study people in extremes will often comment on how the mind/body goes into "autopilot" and does what it is trained to. I know a journalist who whilst in chile witnessed his girlfriend be being beaten by police in what had started as a peaceful protest. He kept taking pictures and then fled back to the press office before his film was destroyed - years and continents later he is still torn with the guilt, yet he knew that getting involved probably would have resulted in his own arrest and possible torture and death. I also had a high school teacher who hours after he witnessed his entire family executed by idi amin (spelling) went to work as he didn't know what else to do. Staged or not with text or not (and plenty of images rely on text.. it is called art or journalism) this image has suceeded in generating a reaction and imho it has therefore worked. debating the morals / ethics of taking the photo and the artistic merit of the image are perhaps better left to other forumns but i don't think it is fair to personally attack the photographer for their action or lack thereof.

[Fenilyn]

to get some things straight.

some of you got it. the photo is staged. i made up the story to get some reactions about the photo. instead i got 20 comments on how bad friend i was and other things about suicide. i can admit that the story was a bit harsh, maybe a bit to realistic for many. but the photo got tons of reactions and i think the photo woke some feelings in many of you. thats exactly the purpose of a good photo.

anyway, if the photo offended anyone; im sorry for not leaving a warning in the topic.
maybe anyone have something else to say now that you know its not "real".

Julsoph is right. It's not he photo that got reaction, It's your stupid story. The image is clear, the subject really brought out a clear picture of anguish and depression, but it's really the story that got our attention.

[mtbbrian]

Let's ease up here some shall we..
Everyone..
This is critique forum and not a personal attack forum.
Thanks
Brian

[Sebastian]

Wow, sounds to me like a lot of people are upset about being hoodwinked, and a lot of others are mad about something they don't agree with.

Two things are being forgotten here:

1) Suicide, depression, etc. have long been legitimate subjects for artisitc expression. Making it a photo doesn't make it any different.
2) If you don't agree with the image, move on, and don't look at it anymore.

[Sebastian]

Now for a critique.

The harsh side lighting works to isolate the subject, and does a really good job of highlighting the tears on his face. I think where it falls apart is that the hand and head look like they're stacked on top of each other, there are no angles for the eye to follow. The framing also could be made into a vertical, helping the viewer concentrate more on the subject.

[Photo-John]

Too centered, can't see the gun well enough, and I think it should have been a vertical. It is, however, a strong image. And there's nothing wrong with including a story with a photo. Sometimes a story is part what makes an image - be it truth or fiction. In this case it got a powerful response. If it were me, I'd consider that a success.

I'm glad no one was really in danger here. And I commend the photographer for having the courage to fess up to his deception. And then stick around for the abuse. Now let's all move on and either shoot or critique some more photos. Anyone who wants to discuss this more should start a new thread in ViewFinder, as this is a critique forum and not an ethics forum.