Abandoned Life Series

RPHC4002-Commission Unit: Environment Part 2: Waste

Nicola Thompson

Concept:
The word 'waste' can be interpreted in many ways, depending of the context. For my project I wanted to create unique photographs that represents waste in a family environment. My concept is to demonstrate how the illness Depression can cause people to waste their lives. Depression has affected my family for many years, and watching my dad deal with it has inspired me to create a series of photographs to represent his way of living.

WHAT IS DEPRESSION?

Depression is a common mental disorder, characterized by sadness, loss of interest and loss of apatite. The feelings of guilt or low self-esteem, disturbed sleep and poor concentration are all symptoms of depression. Depression in its severe form can lead to suicide.
Key facts Globally, more than 350 million people of all ages suffer from depression. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and is a major contributor to the global burden of disease. There are effective treatments for depression. Despite the fact that there are effective treatments, 80% of depressed people are NOT seeking medical help

 1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year Mixed anxiety and depression is the most common mental disorder in Britain Women are more likely to have been treated for a mental health problem than men About 10% of children have a mental health problem at any one time Depression affects 1 in 5 older people Suicides rates show that British men are three times as likely to die by suicide than British women Self-harm statistics for the UK show one of the highest rates in Europe: 400 per 100,000 population

Possible Causes of depression: Social support studies have shown that people who live in social isolation, people with deficit in social interaction and people who arent in relationships in which they can safely discuss their problems are more prone to getting depressed. Unemployment a study showed people who arent employed and home makers are 3 times more likely to get depressed than people who are employed. Chronic illnesses illnesses that persist for a long time prone people to depression Bereavement loss of someone dear, can cause grief and increase the risk of depression Social stress losing a job or income, getting a divorce (studies have shown depression is higher in people who separated or divorced than people who are married or single), retiring etc. Medications some medications used in the treatment of hypertension (beta blockers) may increase the chance of getting depressed in some people. Corticosteroid treatment causes significant mood disturbance. Nearly half of patients with functional depressive illness have raised cortisol levels, and this is associated with adrenal gland enlargement. Childhood traumas and personality Physical, sexual and emotional abuse or neglect in childhood all predispose adults to depressive illness, but not everyone who has this background will be depressed. People who due to their personalities are very emotional and people that have perfectionist personalities are more prone to having depressive illness, and their personalities may be acquired from interplay of genetic factors and childhood experiences.

Symptoms Mood Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day (e.g., feels sad, miserable, irritable and empty) Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day Significant weight loss and loss of appetite (in atypical depression, the person may have increased appetite and weight gain) Insomnia lack of sleep (there may be excessive sleep in atypical depression) nearly every day Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (the person blames his or herself for things that go wrong even though it has nothing to do with him/her) nearly everyday (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick), Feelings of futility, self-reproach, unworthiness Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent thought of committing suicide without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or specific plan for committing suicide.

CHRISTIAN HOPKINS: Is a photographer who uses photography as a coping mechanism for depression. He says, "I've been suffering from Major Depression for the past 4 years and it has manifested itself throughout that period in many ways, photography included." Hopkins takes self portraits in a way that expresses his feelings inside. He manipulates his images to create surreal compositions.

I really liked how Hopkins uses a sense of isolation in his photographs, and he explores different techniques to show the impact depression has on him.

Luisa Lambri: Lambri photographs the practice of architectural photography, which has traditionally focused its attention on the exteriors of buildings. Her images give a sense of experience of being in the space and gains psychological meaning of the unknown. Lambri utilizes traditional as well as new digital printing techniques to move her photographs beyond pure documentation.

I really like the way Lambri uses corners and space in her compositions. The impression of isolation and being trapped comes across in her photographs. Her work has influenced me a lot from her technique of photographing for my concept of depression.

Elisa Sighicelli:

Sighicelli is a Photographer and video artist that explores light and motion as formal tools and subject matter.
The idea of being confined and trapped in a space is present in her work. The image of closed curtains gives an impression of not being able to 'get out. Her work also gives the impression of isolation, with the use of dim light illuminating over certain house hold furniture. Curtain V, 2000 Kitchen, 2000

I find the kitchen image, relevant to my concept as when people are depressed they dont care about presentation.

Martina Mullaney: Mullaney is a photographer that photographs spaces to convey loneliness which can be a cause of depression. Her photographs respond metaphorically to notions of isolation and remoteness. Dinner for one, 1999 'Untitled 1'

I really liked the way Martina Maullaney has photographed as metaphors. Her images of food left on the table clearly documents a persons untidiness which may be caused by depression. The idea of the curtains being closed with the light shining through, demonstrates laziness of a person, or a sense of isolation and loneliness.

Todd Hido: Hido photographed the walls and spaces inside houses, to represent the difficulties inside the family home. Foreclosed Homes'

These photographs give a psychological feeling of isolation and confusion. I was inspired by the idea of photographing corners of walls as it gives a sense of being trapped.

Contact Sheets

Whilst taking these photographs I was aiming to portray isolation, confusion, fear and the notion of being trapped. I liked these images as the use of light helps demonstrate being isolated and closed in.

With these images I looked more into the corners of my dads house to portray it being uncared for, and I wanted to show loneliness with the use of objects.

Final Prints

I decided to use these photographs as part of my series, because I think they best represent a family home being uncared for due to depression. I find the first photograph quite shocking as a bathroom is where a person cleans.

I think these photographs demonstrate being trapped, from the closed curtains and the slightly closed door. The light peering through creates a sense of teasing to the viewer, from giving a hint on what may be on the other side yet not being able to go through it.

This photograph demonstrates isolation. This is done with the use of lighting that illuminates a wall conveying the empty space.

Evaluation
For my waste project I wanted to produce photographs that were personal to me. Depression is consistent in my family life due to money worries, relationship breakdowns and illness, and I wanted to use different techniques that best portrayed this. By exploring the contextual research of depression, I have discovered that it is one of the most common mental illness in the world and it can occur at any time. After researching photographers that related to depression, I came across the photographer Christian Hopkins, and his work inspired me to photograph in a way of seeing into the mind of a depressant. At first I decided that photographing outside would be best to represent depression, by using trees and fences as metaphors on feeling trapped inside the illness. When I made contact sheets from my negatives, I felt that the photographs didnt illustrate what I wanted them too. From discussion I decided to photograph in my dads house as being a depressant, he never wants to leave his home. I looked at architectural photographer Luisa Lambri and Todd Hido, and they inspired me to photograph corners of rooms and slightly open doors to give a physiological feel of being trapped and isolated. Another artist I used to portray isolation, the feeling of being trapped and a sense of negligence was photographer Elisa Sighicelli. I also looked at Martina Mullaney, who inspired me to photograph in ways to portray loneliness. I believe that the artists I have used relate to my concept really well, and that the different techniques used, do portray a notion of depression. Whilst printing my photographs I found the colour correction really difficult, as my photographs are shot with artificial light. I am more confident whilst using the light meter, and I know what settings are needed in different light. These photographs were taken with the Bronica camera, as I felt that the photographs would hold the concept better if they were restricted into a square. If I done this project again, I would want to test out a variety of techniques with the use of portraiture too. Overall I believe that my series work well together, and the concept is very strong in my photographs.