Hidden Factors
I had this idea to start making photographs that represent internal factors: strength, resolve, determination, etc. This was, in a way, inspired by this one statue I saw in the first Harry Potter film–a cloaked figure with its hand out towards the screen. I was thinking about what the statue could be meant for. I thought a cloaked figure would be a great way to represent these internal emotions or character traits we all have. This photo represents hidden strength. Hidden because sometimes people think they don’t have strength, so it’s buried or covered up. But it’s there and you can wield it. I chose the circle symbol because that’s also a sign of strength, of course, coupled with the ball of energy that you can sometimes feel in your gut and want to let loose. This was actually taken in my kitchen when I go home from work. I put my girlfriend on a chair, draped her in a wet red bed sheet, and snapped away.
In order to understand a person’s character you need to understand what motivates them. To understand what makes a person function you need to understand what they’re after. Whether it is in life or in fiction, we have to understand what motivates an individual.
When I started making this image I was first inspired by the notion of “fear” and how we confront fear. Fear is the reaction to that oncoming thing that can turn people two ways: people can choose to escape pain and avoid punishment, or people can choose to achieve happiness and earn rewards by going through it instead of around it. Fear can be many things and avoidance is one way to deal with fear.
With this image I get the sense of throwing off the covers, coming out of hiding, facing the oncoming, and actively doing something in the face of fear.
Frank Herbert once wrote “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” I’m not going to lie and say that I’ve faced every fear in my life head on. In fact, only a couple of years ago I was offered a unique opportunity that I didn’t take out of fear of having to change my entire life around. But I think a lot of that comes down to listening to your gut. Listening to your gut in the face of fear and going with that initial instinct, I believe, is the way to go. It’s using your wisdom.
Some people don’t acquire wisdom. I think that, in life, you experience things and then you should internalize them, learn from them, and use those as lessons. This is wisdom. This is that voice in the back of your head. Listen to that voice.
Facing fear is a virtue but knowing when to step back should also be recognized as a brave and wise. But don’t confuse evasive tactics with cowardice. The voice calling to bravery should be louder than all.