PASSION PROJECT
“More than Scars”
UPDATE - September 2023
The shooting test for this project has been completed with four brave warriors who patiently allowed me time to adjust light patterns to find the right dimension for capture. The images have been post-processed and look amazing, showing details of the scaring, procedures, damage, and augmentation left by the constant life battle against breast cancer. The next step will be small-scale printing to check the dynamic tone range for the black & white images before committing one image to the final print size of 24” x 36”.
The photographic equipment was chosen based on the capability to meet or exceed my vision expectations. I’m thrilled with the results so far and see no issues progressing forward with the next steps of the project.
Camera: Fujifilm GFX 50R with a GF 63mm f2.8 | Lighting: (3) Westcott FJ400 strobes with (2) Rapid Box Switch 1’x3’ with grid & (1) Rapid Box 2’x3’ | Backdrop: Westcott Rich Black 5’ x 7’
Captured to iPad Pro via TetherTools cable using Capture One Mobile | Lighting metered via Sekonic LiteMaster Pro L-478DR | Post-Processed with Capture One Pro 23
OUTLINE
Photograph 20 women who have endured a double mastectomy procedure because of breast cancer. Each person will be photographed topless, exposing their scars, and another image of each person in clothes. The contrast between the personal, private view in the mirror and the version altered for the public view. Accompanying the two selected images will be a short story of their life, accomplishments, and successes.
In my background, I have survived cancer three times including removal of my left kidney and many times felt less than valuable person. I was a dedicated, highly skilled photographer in the USAF and after being diagnosed with kidney cancer, my family and friends were so supportive and loving helping me through the future life changes. Because of the surgery, the military felt I was no longer a viable member to perform my job effectively and proceeded to discharge me under medical conditions. I felt the value of my self-worth was attached to my whole body parts and missing one of those made me broken and unusable. At the time, I had served 19 years of honorable service to my country and had willingly given blood, sweat, and tears performing my duties wherever called. I fought to stay in until my 20 years was complete for my honorable discharge on September 1, 2001. However, the stigma of “no longer being valuable as a military member” has never truly left my mind.
In addition to my struggles, my mother passed from ovarian cancer and my father passed away because of complications with breast cancer. In fact, about 1 in 100 breast cancer diagnoses are men. You can read more on the CDC website. Cancer has been an ongoing battle within my family.
OBJECTIVE
Demonstrate through my photography and story-telling that women are not defined by their figure or outline. Women that have battled cancer and undergone such a life changing surgery are still women. They are individuals with the shared hopes and dreams as the rest of the world and shouldn’t feel “less than” because of an obsession with breasts. They are still - and always will be - valuable mothers, sisters, wives, lovers, friends, etc. Their scars do not define their lives.
DESIGN
Images will be taken in a studio environment on simple backgrounds to keep focus on the person involved. The topless image, showing the scars, will be in high contrast black & white, without make-up or hair preparation. It is meant to be raw and represent the reflection seen in the mirror or by a loved one. The uncovered truth of nature and the disfiguring battle with cancer. The person will be bearing it all without filters.
The second image will be one of the person clothed, showing how the world sees them. The image will be styled, and hair and make-up done professionally to capture the very best visual possible. This image will be in full vibrate color, acting as a stark contrast to the reality of the first image.
The short story is written based on interviews with the person, family, and friends to focus on how relationships show the personality and successes that truly give depth and value to the person viewed.
Photography equipment to be used in the creation of the portraits is Fujifilm GFX 50R with 63mm f2.8 lens, Westcott FJ Lighting and modifiers, Westcott X-Drop background system. I hope to partner with Bedford Camera and Video for the printing of the images for the gallery show. The printing process would be an Epson large format printer with Hahnemühle FineArt paper.
I am still searching for talented hair and make-up artists willing to donate their skills to the project. If you have someone in mind, please share this private page link with them or share their contact details with me.
OUTCOME
This project will be planned and should take about a year or less, depending on travel and the availability of suitable subjects willing to participate. After completion of all images, the goal would be a showing at a local gallery as 24”x 36” Fine Art prints using and ultimately an art coffee table book. I have a verbal confirmation of technical support and printing services to help offset the final costs of production. I hope this project will help others understand the struggles of double mastectomy women dealing with the double-edged sword between world view and private life. Each person is valuable to the world and shouldn’t be judged “less than” because of their scars.
BENEFICIARIES
The passion project will focused to benefit all women enduring the struggles of a new identify and lifestyle battling breast cancer. Any profits obtained from donations, sales of prints, art books, etc are to be gifted to the Breast Cancer Survivors of Oklahoma to help continue their effort for free mammograms for uninsured women for early detection.
Interested?
Complete the form to be involved in this passion project. When possible, I will meet each applicant in person to discuss the details and set up the shoot. I fully understand the sensitivity of the project, so I will not share anyone’s information outside of the creative team until the completion of the project.
If you are curious about the project and would like to be involved in the creative team, please contact me directly via email or text.
Expected Shoot Dates will be in October 2023
Possibly on weekdays after 6:00 pm