March 19, 2010 3:56am The creation of images termed edgy is not a role to adopt to be fanciful.Thias is not photojournalistic in essence or artistic.
It is designed for one purpose, to shock, to build ones ego at the expense of the weak.
March 30, 2009 11:41am As I just said:
Is this picture eye catching? Yes
Edgy? Yes.
Intense? Yes.
Disturbing? Yes.
Triggers the mind? Yes
And that was we were aming for.
Thank you Julie.
Cushman, Deborah:Mayo Study Shows No link Between Holidays and Suicide (The Des Moine Register, Dec 11,1995 page 3)
March 30, 2009 10:35am The image certainly makes for good debate. As a sociologist myself I am aware of the common misconception that the suicide rate is higher during the holidays. In fact Christmas is the one holiday that seems to have a suppressing effect on suicide rates. Most studies suggest that December is actually only the 9th highest month for suicides, while August is the number one highest month. The studies suggest many reasons for this. Possibly that during the holidays there can be an increase in friends and relatives to surround and protect the vulnerable people. Xmas celebrations may evoke positive memories, hopefullness and a renewed outlook for those in distress. There is an increased awareness of community resources and safety nets available during this period like food banks, shelters and outreach programs. The media tends to play up these "holiday blues" when in fact during the spring and summer after the dark winters days, those with depression may not feel happier while others around them do thus encouraging suicidal feelings. There is so much information on this subject it would take weeks to write about. Does this image evoke strong feelings? Yes. Does this image evoke realistic thoughts about the subject matter? I don't believe so. If the studies are correct, time would be better spent supporting community resources, maybe helping out at a food bank than spending it creating images that only serve to make the holiday season seem more depressing. It seems this would only serve to promote the misconceptions regarding suicide rates. That is only one tiny little opinion.
March 10, 2009 6:55am I do highly appreciate all the comments left on my "Happy Holidays" photograph I created with my partner here in New York. I see where comments are coming from, however, because of the nature of the image the title absolutely make sense, enhancing the contrast effect (sarcasm) between "happy" and "morbid" the way I was aiming for.
One said "This image discusts me".
In this big wild world, there are many many families that turn out to be not a pleasant environment to grow up within, therefore many holidays just feels like this image try to imitate. There is one of the reason that at holidays the suicide rate goes high.
Some people likes this image, some dont.
The question: Is the picture eye catching? yes.
Edgy? yes.
Intense? yes.
Disturbing? yes.
Triggers the mind? absolutely. And that was I aiming for as a sociologist.
February 14, 2009 10:49am This image disgusts me. I feel there are far better ways to promote the idea that there are so many people who have horrendously difficult times during the holidays.
