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.
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 Withdrawn from those who don't and never will understand how debilitating so many conditions can be.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!
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!
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