I’ve wondered often why humans take pics of certain misfortunes, especially injuries (the non-life threatening ones) & medical issues ~ in the past I’ve documented my surgery incisions, cuts, scars, etc. in photos. I asked around and apparently this wasn’t uncommon, and that was intriguing.

So I made a public social media request that explained my intentions, and asked for friends to send me reference photos of their documented mishaps. I specifically requested that no one send photos of injuries in progress, and nothing related to domestic violence… & when I solicit references, I prefer selfies ~ that way I have the photographer’s visual permission to use the reference. A lot of photos were sent in. I chose 5 in particular.

These were drawn with colored pencil, using a bit of distortion as well as focused color around the issues documented in the reference pics.

This series was not meant to make light of these issues, any people going through difficult times, etc. What was (and still is) so fascinating is that this kind of documentation is very common, but odd. I love that.

More info: Instagram

Idiopathic edema is basically swelling with no known cause.

My good friend’s daughter was hit in the face with a softball.

This lady fell & she was good to send several angles of her injury.

Another fall ~ my friend’s son.

An intriguing pic of a friend with shingles & funny expression.

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