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Breast Cancer.
Breast Cancer.
Dona_k

Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Symmetry II (Basic Editing)
Camera: Nikon D200
Lens: Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED
Location: Kingsport, TN.
Date: May 1, 2007
Aperture: f3.5
ISO: 200
Shutter: 1/6
Galleries: Emotive, Nude
Date Uploaded: May 1, 2007

 We have colored ribbons for everything these days, red for Aids, yellow for Home coming, and red, white and blue to show your patriotism, I could go on forever but I won’t.

The ribbon I want it talk about now is ‘pink’, and how one very brave woman chose to untie that pink ribbon and give us a peek inside.

This is what a ‘bilateral mastectomy’ looks like (both breasts removed).
She also spent many months going through ‘Chemotherapy’ and ‘Radiation’. Sickened and weakened she watched her hair fall out in big awkward clumps (treatment isn’t for wimps).

Cancer casts a long shadow; it attaches itself to you for the rest of your life. When the doctors tell you ‘you are cancer free’, these words should be followed by ‘for now’. Each bump or sore spot, (it doesn’t take much) sends you reeling into a blind panic.

I took the photograph of her. I wanted everything in the photograph to look and feel raw, the lighting, the way she stood, what she wore etc. She fought a life and death battle. She displayed those scars with dignity and grace.

There is nothing beautiful or graceful about cancer and I wanted my photograph to reflect that.

In some ways she reminded me of a holocaust survivor.

My friend’s wish is by giving of her self she may help others, and I believe she has, convincing one woman to “scheduled my mammogram today” I hope others follow her lead.

As for myself, next time you see a cute little pink ribbon, I hope you think of her photograph and remember the reality.

Over 215,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.
One person is diagnosed with breast cancer every 3 minutes.
One person dies of breast cancer every 14 minutes.
People over the age of 50 accounts for 75% of breast cancer cases.
There is over a 96% five-year survival rate when breast cancer is caught before it spreads to other parts of the body.

(American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures 2004.)

Statistics
Place: 211 out of 249
Avg (all users): 4.7351
Avg (commenters): 6.4444
Avg (participants): 4.5667
Avg (non-participants): 4.8462
Views since voting: 4434
Views during voting: 454
Votes: 151
Comments: 20
Favorites: 0

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AuthorThread
 05/24/2007 08:35:41 PM
Thank everyone for your kind words. The photograph did indeed score low but, not where it really counted. I too find the photo difficult to look at.
Donna.



Message edited by author 2007-05-25 00:51:29.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
05/08/2007 09:36:06 AM
Its shocking and its difficult to look at, but it accomplishes what it aims for, and generates emotion.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/07/2007 02:41:30 PM
I will add my comment to the many I'm sure you received... this picture is painful to look at, surely not as painful as being the model, and I think that this will make people vote it low. I'm giving it a 6, because I think that the editing is very good, as it gives the image a non-real touch, which is so much necessary to look at it. Taking a picture of the breast only would have given the image more of a symmetry taste, but I think that seeing more of the body gives it a sense of history... the model is sadly and courageously reveiling her secret, she is shy, tired and hoping, and I can see all of this even without seeing her face. Her pose is so eloquent!
The subject is a very hard to photograph and to see. I think that a different shot could have made it easier to look at it, maybe trying to hide a little bit more of what we don't want to see. But in that case it would have been completely different and maybe the picture would not have been as powerful as it is. Anyway I think that a picture should be a pleasant thing to look at, and this is not. I hope she will do well and that her difficult path is over.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/07/2007 02:07:54 PM
I don't know if this is a self portrait or not, but the model is a brave woman! no matter how this finishes in the challenge, CONGRATS to her for making it through her treatment, and for having the COURAGE to stand there for all of us to view. this is a very powerful image, and you did a great job, B&W, the lighting, compostion, contrast..would love to see her face would be all I would have done differently, but that may have been her choice...
STRONG STRONG WOMAN!! wishing you well~
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/07/2007 09:05:41 AM
I want to like this photo, and I applaud you taking on a difficult subject. Unfortunately the technicals in this photo are not very good, and I can't ignore that...

It appears to have been lit through a venetian blind; this is causing subtle horizonal stripes throughout. The robe is far too reflective, and has many blown out parts. Focus is poor and the image is noisy.

Hope this isn't too harsh... I wish you and your model the best.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/07/2007 12:14:39 AM
powerful image, but not well composed IMO- 5
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/06/2007 08:52:58 PM
Wow - that's a powerful photo of a brave subject. Good for you both!

However, this has a very clinical feel to it, like "here they are" or rather, "here they aren't." That presentation robs some of the power from the shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/06/2007 07:15:36 AM
Your subject is a strong one. I think it is too bad you included the mirror in the shot if did not intend to use it more to play with the reflection. Right where it is, I find it distracting from the great subject you chose: the lack of symmetry where we would be expecting it.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/06/2007 04:59:41 AM
What a powerful shot. Excellent concept and beautiful work.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/04/2007 11:27:07 AM
Very stirring photo. I'm certain it will do well... 10 for me! :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/03/2007 03:01:30 PM
Gross
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/03/2007 11:36:56 AM
This took balls - I admire that. Whether you are the model or not, the model put herself out there "as is" for the public to see, and I thank you for that. (My mother was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer 5 years ago. Thankfully, she's doing well with no sign of cancer anymore; however, it's a constant companion now.) The photograph itself is a little on the rough side (from a technical aspect), but I do think the rawness of the image supports the subject. This meets the challenge in a very poignant manner.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/03/2007 05:27:03 AM
Thank you...a brutally honest portrait. I scheduled my mammogram today.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/03/2007 02:36:55 AM
sweet life 8
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 04:31:32 PM
This is a very brave image- bless you - ten
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 01:47:23 PM
You will probably score low in this challenge, but we have to remember that DPC results are not necessarily representative of real photographic qualities.

That pic with its title says something, and we have to think about it. That is photography.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 01:03:46 PM
This is a very powerful image. The different texture of the subject and her robe is such a contrast. It speaks volumes to what and how cancer affects all of us.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 12:50:46 PM
oh dear lord
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 10:08:37 AM
beautiful.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 05/02/2007 07:01:25 AM
OK an image is just an image I say. Photo not the greastest but maybe you wanted the meaning or shock value. Great idea not a photo contest winner.
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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