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.
More info: Instagram
This post may include affiliate links.
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.
As someone who lives with constant pain in my upper back, this photo is very meaningful. Your work is incredible.
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 Withdrawn from those who don't and never will understand how debilitating so many conditions can be.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...Mr. Rosenburg, is there any particular reason that you chose women for your photographs? You will have to excuse me in that I am not always clear about meanings in art. But I am intrigued by these pictures nevertheless.
I do these edits with men too. Here's a recent I just finished :) https://www.facebook.com/jsrphotos/photos/a.168749235059.119148.165445790059/10154341251580060/?type=3&theater
Load More Replies...Fascinating photos. I understand what it's like when your own body systematically attacks you. Im sorry for your suffering.
I have to agree with Bridgette here. I have fibromyalgia, and on top of this, I am recovering from surgery for a broken ankle. I know and understand chronic pain. What I can't understand is why, instead of average looking humans experiencing pain, you have taken beautiful women, put them in submissive and sexualized positions, and proceeded to use the trope of women posing in a sort of "beautifully tragic" contortion that makes their torture look sexual. I find it interesting that you chose to make it look like these women have gashes in their skin, as if they've been mauled by Jack the ripper, and that their wounds have been left to blacken and rot (indicating lack of medical care), as opposed to showing the tension and sensations of ongoing medical issues. I find it even more interesting that these women don't look like they're in pain from a medical condition, they just look insecure and preyed upon. That might be an enlightening comparison, if they weren't naked and sexualized.
Kathleen, In response t "look insecure and preyed upon," that is often how I feel w/ regard to my pain issues. I can't escape.
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!
Load More Replies...Mr. Rosenburg, is there any particular reason that you chose women for your photographs? You will have to excuse me in that I am not always clear about meanings in art. But I am intrigued by these pictures nevertheless.
I do these edits with men too. Here's a recent I just finished :) https://www.facebook.com/jsrphotos/photos/a.168749235059.119148.165445790059/10154341251580060/?type=3&theater
Load More Replies...Fascinating photos. I understand what it's like when your own body systematically attacks you. Im sorry for your suffering.
I have to agree with Bridgette here. I have fibromyalgia, and on top of this, I am recovering from surgery for a broken ankle. I know and understand chronic pain. What I can't understand is why, instead of average looking humans experiencing pain, you have taken beautiful women, put them in submissive and sexualized positions, and proceeded to use the trope of women posing in a sort of "beautifully tragic" contortion that makes their torture look sexual. I find it interesting that you chose to make it look like these women have gashes in their skin, as if they've been mauled by Jack the ripper, and that their wounds have been left to blacken and rot (indicating lack of medical care), as opposed to showing the tension and sensations of ongoing medical issues. I find it even more interesting that these women don't look like they're in pain from a medical condition, they just look insecure and preyed upon. That might be an enlightening comparison, if they weren't naked and sexualized.
Kathleen, In response t "look insecure and preyed upon," that is often how I feel w/ regard to my pain issues. I can't escape.
Load More Replies...