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Brieana — Pursuit of Happiness
Published: 2012-09-27 21:55:13 +0000 UTC; Views: 2093; Favourites: 59; Downloads: 6
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Description
September is suicide awareness month, so this is my contribution to that.RIP Kyle.
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Comments: 87
Thanks for the critique! I'm trying to get better with different lightnings, all I have is a regular house lamp to work with 
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Good job. Lighting is a lifelong pursuit, there is always more you can learn even on a tight budget(free)
Look at reflectors(white,silver,or gold for warming)This can be done very cheaply. Foam core,the windshield inserts for the summer, cardboard with aluminium foil.They can allow you to bounce light in and fill spots. On the other side you have scrims, flags and gobos. Diffuse, block and shape the light you are using. sheer cloth or sheets to diffuse(careful not to set them on fire the thin stuff can burn quickly and lights get hot)and dark painted cardboard or black foam core can be cut easily to make whatever kind of interesting shadows you might want.
This is a good resource [link] (active community lots of neat ideas.
Have fun chasing the light!!
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huh, I never thought about all of that, I actually do have more than a house lamp lol I just didn't think of it. I have a softbox (I had to make it for a class project one time) of a cardboard box covered with tin foil on the outside, and then white paper covering the opening and then a hole for the lamp to stick in. Also sheets and reflector items. I'm checking out the link you sent, good stuff! thank you for sharing
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Keep up the good work. Glad I could help
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I strongly disagree with anybody that would think that committing suicide is the way to happiness. I've seen art like this many ways and it breaks my heart just the thought your friend or family member committing suicide.
I fav art work like this cause of the dark message in it. That removing your life from the world will not bring yourself or anybody happiness. Only more torment and sadness.
Camera techniques are why I love to critique photography.
I'm not at all surprise by the impact though, it's been done so many times that it's almost expected for me when I critque art form dark themed groups.
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Thank you very much for the critique! 
What did you think about my camera technique though? I wanted a shallow depth of field, especially for the second one, and I personally love how it came out; but you didn't really mention anything about my technique, just that the technique is the reason you like to critique photography
Thanks again!
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I have to say, I do find this picture quite intriguing.
I like how the first picture you can't really tell if it's suicide or not. Symbolism for suicide is the murder of yourself? I also like how the focus seems to be on the trigger; it might symbolize the hesitation, or possibly how ready the person in the picture was ready to end it all. In the second image, I like how the person is smiling, to show that even the happiest of people can have these thoughts. It makes the image a lot more meaningful.
I kind of wished that tears would've been added to the model's face, to show maybe sorrow and guilt for what they are about to do. And I feel like the second picture is missing something; maybe the composition could've been a little more interesting. But that's just my opinion.
Overall, a decent picture that I feel clearly interprets what suicide is and the underlying causes to it. Thank you for posting a good image!
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Thank you for the critique
I put focus on the trigger because I felt that was the most significant part of the photo, but I didn't think of it like you did with the hesitation meaning and stuff. Very interesting, I enjoyed reading it.
I didn't put tears because I simple didn't think of it lol. When I was composing it, I had the title in mind and the thought of "how even the happiest of people have these thoughts". To me, suicide is not always a sad thing for the individual, and that the people doing it can be overwhelmed with joy that they are finally going to do it and their pain will end, so I tried to show that with the smile as well. I think ~Extrani-Rain explained this better than I did
Thanks again for the thoughtful critique, it's appreciated!
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C: I get you, I get you. I don't know, maybe personal experience just wanted the tears and the feels. I thought like the lighting and the tears could've made the picture more... dramatic? LOL but I get what you were going at.
C: YOU'RE WELCOME
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haha I get what you mean, this piece is about a very personal thing, so I didn't expect it to fit to everyone's expectations because everyone is different etc. etc.
C:
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I'm sorry for being a critique critiquer-er. xD But I was reading this and I wanted to point something out. You make a good point, with the person smiling and the trigger meaning hesitation. But when you pointed out that you wish you would've seen sorrow or tears in this, I have to disagree. Maybe the model has no guilt or sorrow. Maybe they've gotten to the point where their emotions are fleeted, there are no tears, there is no sorrow...just no emotion but pure exuberance and want for a better place, like they couldn't take the world in their state now. The devil dancing in their mind so-to-speak. The smiling in this, on second glance, is horrifying. Anyone in any state of mind would be scared out of their mind with a loaded gun to the face. But, that smile is what makes this picture so powerful...it represents the total loss of oneself in a person. There is no thoughts, no emotions, no love...only the true desire for Death. That's exactly what makes this suicide perception so scary...it's not only artistic, but it's awfully realistic. Although, in any case, I agree totally with your rating.
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I totally get that. C: I just thought tears would've made for an interesting part, especially since then playing with the lighting could've made the tears glisten and whatnot. But, that's my two cents xD Because I don't think there is any way to say what suicide feels like, because whoever has been there has mixed emotions, such as myself 
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Nailed it
I like that people are commenting and disagreeing with each other though, because no one is wrong. It shows that suicide and suicidal people do not have a single defined emotion or form with static defining traits, but rather can range greatly from the "expected" sad to happy.
Thanks for your comment!
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Ok first off I wanted to say that I personally don't like this photo but that has to do with my own personal issues. Secondly I'm very glad that this IS for suicide awareness month as at first glance I was really thrown off and a bit offended.
HOWEVER despite that, speaking from an artistic stand point and putting emotions aside. I think you did a very good job at portraying these images in a controversial manor however in my own opinion I don't read 'suicide' from this and I think that's what you were going for as it is for Suicide Awareness Month.
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Thank you for the critique
Yeah it's what I was going for, considering it's two shots (no pun intended) of me shooting myself, and it is for suicide awareness month. I'm not sure how you didn't read suicide from it, so if you could explain that I would appreciate it for future reference!
Thanks again
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I certainly can explain that sorry for leaving that out lol.
The reason I didn't feel suicide from it is two reasons one the first shot, it doesn't look like it belongs in my opinion and the second shot it almost looks as if your smiling and that smile is what made it detach from suicide for me.
However I do want to add that the angle of the second shot is really well done.
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haha no problem! and thank you
I can explain the smile, I did that on purpose because I wanted to express that suicide isn't always for people who appear depressed, but that it can strike in anyone, even ones who always seem to be happy. I can see now how it could throw someone though, so thank you for explaining
Have a good night
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I can see that once you explain it to me and your welcome for the input hope it helps and I look forward to seeing more stuff from you ^^
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oh good, I'm glad it made sense 
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This composition is totally striking, great concept.
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My pleasure ♥ 
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Regardless of subject matter, this is one awesome photo. It makes you think.
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I absolutely love this! title and all,it had incredible impact on me n-n oh and thanks for the fave btw n-n
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Sad but true :s. Thank you though and happy new year ^^
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That was one of my intentions
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no problem and Happy new year to you too.
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The finger on the trigger is like a third eye-love all your works
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According to ypur description, I really like your idea for showing the topic. The title is quite tricky and makes your message stronger.
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I like the subtle detail of a smile in the blurred background; it echoes your title nicely.
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Thank you
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Great composition, very powerful message. Very nice clarity in the shots!
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