The Bipolar Effect

[allenlennon]

Yesterday, i had envisioned a shot that has a deeper meaning then my usual selfies. After a couple of hours mucking around in the make shift studio i was disappointed with how the shots were coming out. But after 24 hrs, i decided to see what i can do, and after 2 hrs of mucking around in photoshop i came up with this image.

The meaning and story behind the idea of this image is inspired by my closest friend who suffers from bipolar and anxiety, and because of which she suffers depression on and off. This image is to show/tell how hard it is for someone in her position, to deal with the stress and heartache that life can throw at them. That at times it feels like we are trapped, being pulled back from our life, unable to fulfill our hopes and dreams.

I can not fully understand what it is like to be in her shoes, and others who suffer the same, But i try my hardest to get to the point were i can offer my help and guidance.

Even though i didnt have the skill to do what i originally had planed, but this image is along the same line of it. And believe it still holds the same message.

[James G]

Allen,
I can see where you are coming from with this image.
My first wife, died at the turn of the millennium. She was diagnosed bipolar in her 20's and had many years of terrible depressions which at times left her catatonic and unable to function. She certainly felt she failed to achieve her real potential. She was a talented artist who for too much of her life could not function.

I asked her once , way back, to try and tell me what it was like when she was in the pit. Her answer.. she asked me to look around me, then asked if I could see all the shadow and colour? When I said yes, she said so could she, but... despite that, everything was still drab and grey and without zest.

I've never been able to forget that.

[Shadowman]

Has a theatrical look to the capture. I could see this image on a playbill.

[Mike Buckley]

Your narrative and photo complement each other very nicely. I like that the photo celebrates the strong desire of people afflicted with such mental demons to break away from them. I agree with John that it could be a cover shot on a playbill.

My only recommendation, though it's a strong one, is to add a lot more negative space on the left side. You can do that easily in any program that will allow you to increase the canvas size and fill the newly created area with the color of the background.

Also consider converting to monochrome, especially because that will dramatically lower the cost of printing the playbill's cover.

[IzzieK]

The king of drama is on the loose again...well done! Like the narrative too...