Essay

To what extent is photography used to make the general public aware of the effects a mental illness can have on a person?

For my personal investigation I have chosen to explore the topic of mental health and mental illnesses. Throughout my childhood, I have slowly become more aware of mental illness, partly as a result of a family member being hospitalised for a short period of time. I was then able to view the impact these series of events had on certain family members, and how they personally dealt with the emotions that accompanied the news. Overtime I have learnt that mental illness is something that can often isolate the person who lives with it, as well as the people around them. As a result, the topic of mental illness is one that can, in many cases, be avoided in general life as well as the media. However, photography is a medium in which the taboo topic and the effects that accompany the illness are explored freely and without a stigma attached to it.

Some of the most influential photographers I have studied to date would include, Kayleigh Von Grimm and John William Keedy, both of whom I have included in my personal investigation. Both photographers have effectively taught me new techniques and new ways to view and analyse images further. Kayleigh Von Grimm frequently uses double exposures in her work, something she achieves through the use of the bulb setting on her camera. This is a technique I had never used in my own work, prior to my analysis of Grimm’s work. I wanted to develop this technique in my own investigation and so I experimented with it in the studio. I believe that I have had some successful results and so I will continue to develop it further in my personal investigation. John William Keedy further inspired me to take everyday objects such as post it notes, peas and clocks and to create a story through my use of the objects and the composition of my image. Previous to my analysis of Keedy’s work, the composition of my photos wouldn't always be planned and well thought out, however, as I have progressed, it is something that I have learnt to do as a result of John William Keedy.

Christian Hopkins is a photographer who takes self-portraits to cope with his own depression. The images showcase a vulnerability that Hopkins feels on a daily basis with his illness. His work mirrors feelings such as depression, loneliness and lethargy, all of which are as a result of the effects his mental illness has on him as a person. Hopkins photographs are a reflection of the dark thoughts and feelings not only he feels but anyone who lives with a mental illness. Hopkins personally believes that his photography can become a coping mechanism not just for him but also for all the people who have a mental illness and view his work, “I did tell my friend that I was going to delete my photographs. I was going through a somewhat severe episode of depression, and I am often not myself during said episodes. Who ‘myself’ may truly be is still something I struggle with daily…if anything, I hope I helped someone with my photography. They’re me. Perhaps they are you as well. Maybe they’re neither. Maybe they’re we.” Hopkins work explicitly portrays the downfalls of a mental illness however, they showcase to some extent, ambiguity. His photographs could be interpreted in ulterior ways, rather than just ‘images that show someone’s battle with a mental illness.’ Rather than aspiring to create images that are deemed cool, and media-worthy, Christian makes each individual photograph represent a manifestation of a specific demon that has grown from his mental illness that he needs to purge from his mind and body. It is his photography that allows Christian Hopkins to remember just how much of a human being he actually is and that his character isn’t defined by his depression, something, which it serves to do for others with mental illnesses who are viewing his photography. Hopkins work has elements of the supernatural in them to effectively represent his inner demons, something that is explored in the image below.

Objectively, this image shows a man clothed in various white robes, which are forming wings behind him. He has been suspended in the air against a black background, which effectively creates a contrast between the black background and the white figure in the middle. There is a light shining out of the neck of the figure, which creates a lighter area on the background around the head area. There is a high contrast in the image, therefore drawing all of the viewer’s attention to the lone figure that is framed in the centre of the picture. Subjectively, I believe that this image is one of Hopkins more ambiguous ones, as we do not explicitly know what the figure in the middle is. It could be interpreted that the image is a supernatural being such as an angel, due to the wings, the suspension and the halo light radiating off the figure. I believe that the angel represents a darker aspect of the good in Hopkins himself. The figure depicts one of Hopkins inner demons that he needs to purge from his mind, something he achieves through this photograph. The photograph further shows the emotional aspect a mental illness can transfer to a person. The image invokes feelings of despair and distress from the reader as we can see that it is these feelings the figure is portraying in the photograph.

Contextually, Hopkins work is used as a coping mechanism for his own personal mental illness, something he does through showcasing certain feelings of depression in his work. He struggles to define his emotions in everyday situations and so instead he elucidates his emotions through his photography work.

Objectively, this image shows a boy sat on a chair with his legs tucked up and his head down. The chair is situated in the middle of the image, drawing the viewer’s attention straight to the figure. Around the chair there are three different bodies, all faceless, reaching towards the middle figure. The wall behind the figure is white and the floor is a dark grey, creating a medium contrast within the image. The light further creates a contrast as there are areas which are in shadow. Subjectively, I think this image portrays the inner turmoil of someone who suffers from a mental illness. The figures all reaching towards the boy in the middle highlight the vulnerability of the boy, as he is trying to shield himself away from all the negative things around him. The figures are in a position which suggests they are threatening to consume the young boy, possibly from inside his mind. They may represent the multiple voices or personalities he encounters on a daily basis. This image is used to directly make the public aware of the mental illness that the young boy suffers from, and it tells the story of how this individual copes with his mental illness, through denial.

John William Keedy is another photographer who has taken his own mental illness and chosen to explore it through photography. Keedy has created one particular series titled ‘It’s Hardly Noticeable’ in which he takes mental illness that are generally not noticeable to the public, such as OCD and anxiety and he makes them noticeable. Keedy aims to take a mental illness that is often deemed mild compared to others such as Schizophrenia, and he shows the negative effects even an illness like OCD can have on a person’s everyday life, and how it can affect them as a person. John William Keedy uses his own anxiety to inspire his photography, allowing the images to highlight the influence of his thoughts and routines, and how they may differentiate from someone who doesn't have a mental illness.

Objectively, this image shows a wooden table and chair. On the table there is a lamp, which is creating a soft glow, as well as some paper, a mug, a cup of pens, envelopes, glasses and some dead flowers. The various objects are all situated in the spaces between the string on top of the table. There is a low contrast in the image, as most of the image is dominated by warm colours such as browns and yellows. Subjectively, I believe that this image is a powerful but subtle one. When someone first views it, it may not occur that this image is showing the effects of, and the routine of someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. The leading lines of the string create a sense of order in the image however, with the different objects all placed carefully and purposefully within the spaces of the strings, it becomes clear that the sense of order has been taken to the extreme. This image explicitly shows the meticulousness of someone with OCD and how they cannot rest until everything is how it should be. It has been taken to the extent that even each individual rose petal has a place on the table, which creates a powerful impact on the viewer as they are able to see first-hand just how tiring and nerve wracking it can be to have a mental illness.

Objectively, this image shows a cluster of different alarm clocks, all situated on a table with a khaki coloured tablecloth over the top. There is patterned wallpaper in the background that is dark green with lighter green spots on it. There is very little contrast in the image, as most of the colours are similar and warm in tone. The viewer’s sight is directly drawn to the clocks in the centre of the image, as they are constructed in an unusual but interesting way. Subjectively, I think this is a powerful image that shows the routine behind someone who suffers from anxiety. This photo is one of Keedy’s more implicit one’s as I don’t believe that the viewer is being directly told that the image is about a mental illness. Instead, this is an image that you have to explore for a certain amount of time before the concept explains itself.

Katherine Bee is a photographer whom I discovered on Flickr. She focuses on self-portrait manipulation within her work to create images that have a psychological aspect behind them. Katherine uses her photography to make people directly aware of the negative effects a mental illness can have on a person who lives with it. She incorporates techniques such as the bulb setting to create movement within her work.

Objectively, this image shows a young girl, dressed in white, sat on chair in the corner of the room. Above her is a clock and around her are various different figures crouched in an assortment of positions. White walls surround the girl, creating a very desaturated image. The viewer’s line of sight is directly drawn to the figure in the middle of the image and then it strays to the blurred figures that surround the girl. Subjectively, this image shows a girl who looks to be in distress, which is shown through her body language. The blurred figures within the image represent the girl’s inner turmoil as a result of her mental illness. It is suggested that the person suffers from a mental illness such as Schizophrenia and the figures are the various different personalities that she encounter throughout her life which is why they all feature different emotions shown through the body language. Katherine has used the bulb setting on her camera to achieve the effect of the blurred figures around the central figure.

Objectively this image shows a young girl dressed in a grey dress with a chain strapped to her wrist. The other end of the chain is then connected to a set of black scales. The girl is suspended in the air against a background that fades from grey to a cream colour. There is a medium contrast to the image, however, the figure of the girl is very desaturated. Subjectively, this image shows a young girl who appears to be weighed down by her mental illness. I believe that Katherine Bee is attempting to make the viewer explicitly aware of the subject of mental illness and anorexia in particular. This image shows a young girl who cannot escape her illness and instead she has to carry it around with her everywhere she goes, which is represented through the chain which is connected to her wrist. I think the message behind this photograph is a very strong one that suggests that a mental illness is something which shouldn't be taken lightly as the person who deals with that mental illness can never escape it on instead they have to deal with it on a day to day basis.

Daniel Regan is a photographer who often focuses his work on themes of recovery, psychology and mental health. He experiments with both portrait photography and landscape. He uses his own life experiences to inspire his photography work. He used his own experience of hospitalisation to to influence his work and in particular a series called 'Abandoned'. He was drawn to the 'Victorian mental asylums' few of which are still standing. Regan attempts to tell the story of those who once lived there as well as posing the question of what happened to them once they were closed down. Daniel Regan has a second series, 'Insula' which was also influenced by his own personal illness, in order to make the public aware of the emotional difficulties that accompany living with a chronic mental health disorder. It was during the time of the making of this illness that Regan began to use photography as a tool for recovery. It is through the making of photographs that addressed his moods, feelings and emotions that allowed him to make sense of the chaos surrounding him.

This image is a part of Daniel Regan's series 'Abandoned'. It was taken inside an old Victorian asylum that has been abandoned and decaying for a number of years. It features a long corridor with a broken abandoned wheelchair in the middle of the hallway. The Wheelchair is at the centre of the image, drawing the viewer’s attention straight to the centre of the image. There is rubbish as well as overgrown wild nature surrounding the wheelchair and continuing down the corridor. There is a flood of natural light in the corridor, creating a small amount of contrast between the light and dark areas of the image. The leading lines create a strong visual narrative in the composition of the photograph. Subjectively, I think that the broken abandoned wheelchair, invokes feelings of loneliness and despair in the viewer. The image shows the place that large amounts of people who used to suffer from a variety of different mental illnesses lived and how they used to live. Despite not actually featuring anyone who suffers from an illness, this photo has a powerful impact that tells the story of many who used to live there, all trying to deal with and help their mental health.

This image was taken as a part of Daniel Regan’s series, 'Insula.' It was taken to implicitly show the public the emotional difficulties of someone who has a mental illness. Objectively, the image shows the body of a man who is covered in paper and letters. Letters are further used to make up the background, meaning there is no contrast in the image but instead it is desaturated. Subjectively, I think this image is particularly ambiguous as someone viewing them may not get the meaning behind the image without knowing the context behind the series. This image shows a glimpse of a life that is filled with anguish entwined in hope and it allows the viewer of the image to reflect on their own emotional difficulties. The paper signifies the mental illness that this person has. It is covering them from head to toe and they are surrounded by it, not able to get away, however, the action of the peeling away of the paper signifies that this particular person is doing the impossible, they are peeling away from their mental illness and not letting it suffocate them any longer. I think that this is a photo which is full of hope. The message behind the image is to not let the mental illness take over you. Rather than letting the mental illness beat you, take control over it.

Chelsea Paige is another photographer who I found through Flickr. She is a photographer who explores all genres from portraiture to documentary to landscape. She did a particular series which I believed fit in with my personal investigation and my essay. She titled the series ‘Mental Illness’ which is a simple title. She named her series this instead of something that skirts around the subject of mental illness because she wanted to make the general public directly aware that this is what her series is about and this is something which is very common in society. She did this particular series to show the emotional difficulties behind a mental illness and the thoughts, feelings and emotions someone with a mental illness may experience on a day to day basis.

Objectively, this image shows a man with writing all over his body. He is clutching his hair with a look of distress on his face. The image is black and white with a lighter elliptical circle in the middle surrounding the man’s body. Subjectively, I think this image is full of emotion. The man is clutching his hair in distress because that is exactly what he feels like on the inside. The words on his body directly tell the viewer what it is he is feeling, his emotions and some of the things that accompany his illness. He has hallucinations and experiences paranoia and it is clear that he doesn’t like it. Chelsea Paige has used this image to make the general public precisely aware just what a mental illness can do to a person. The eyes are not shown in this image to signify that no one ever really knows who may be suffering from a mental illness. It is an illness that lies within the mind, not one that it explicitly shown on the outside.

To start my practical work I first created a mood board in which I collated a variety of different images that all relate to mental illness. I wanted to explore all of the different aspects of mental illness as well as the variety of different illnesses there are to inform my project further. The next step was to then take some initial images of what immediately popped into my mind when the subject of mental illness came up.

This was the composition and image that I came up with from my initial thoughts. I collected a clump of pills and put them into a little clear plastic cup. I wanted to show the lengths someone with a mental illness must go to, to subdue and control their illness. I used still life to portray this meaning rather than portraiture because I wanted to convey the same meaning many images do but from a neutral perspective. Objectively, this image shows a variety of different pills, some white, some red, in a clear plastic cup. The image has been taken against a black background from a birds-eye view.

The next step to develop my practical work was to choose a number of photographers that would inform and influence my development work. One of the photographers I chose was John William Keedy so that I could experiment with still life further in my work. I wanted to use still life to show the thought process and the life behind someone who suffers from a mental illness such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Whilst studying and exploring John William Keedy’s style, I responded to his work through this particular image. Keedy created an image in which he organised a number of peas on a white plate with a mangled knife and spoon to the side of the plate. I then worked on recreating that image and this is the product of my recreation. Objectively, this image shows a white plate with a line of green peas on top of it. There is a bent fork and spoon to the side of the plate, all of which is on top of a green textured background. Subjectively, I think this is a fairly successful striking image that shows the thought process behind someone with a mental illness. They cannot help but organise every single pea, so that they have control even over the smallest things such as food. I think the mangled cutlery presents the chaos and disorder that lies in the mind of someone with OCD. Despite the fact that they have control over the food and it is in order, their mind is still in disarray, which is as a result of the mental illness.

I then further developed John William Keedy’s style through my own development work. I used a range of different foods such as Jelly Beans and Hula hoops and I arranged them into an order, just as someone with OCD may do. This allowed me to fully get into the mind-set of someone with a mental illness such as OCD.

I took the time to organise the foods into a particular order, once again allowing the thought processes of someone with OCD to be explained through my photography. Objectively, these two separate images show Jelly, Beans that have been organised into rows by colour, and some hula hoops that have been arranged accordingly on a plate. Subjectively, I think both of these images have been a success as they immediately get the message that I was trying to portray across to the viewer. They show a snippet in the life of someone with OCD just what they have to go through to even do something as simple as eating food.

Another photographer I chose to explore and respond to was Kayleigh Von Grimm. She uses techniques such as the bulb setting in her work which is something I also personally wanted to explore, to portray the inner turmoil of someone with a mental illness. My first step to developing Kayleigh’s style in my own work was to set up a shoot in the studio. I the used the bulb setting on my camera to experiment with creating double and triple exposures within one image. I wanted to express the inner emotions of someone with a mental illness such as Schizophrenia as well as showing the multiple personalities that accompany an illness of this type. Objectively, this image shows three different sets of figures all of the same person in the same clothes. They are in different positons with one crouching on the floor, the second standing straight and smiling and the third bent over with a look of distress on their face. Subjectively, I think this image was a success in portraying my meaning behind the composition and picture.

This is a technique that I enjoyed using and I decided to develop further in work. I wanted to use the bulb setting to portray the mental state of someone with a mental illness as well as how they may view themselves.

Chelsea Paige is the third photographer I decided to explore and use her style to develop my work. She takes a literal approach to her work In terms of making the general public aware of mental illnesses and the effects they have on the people who live with them. I used her idea of writing words on the body within my own development work to inform a series of pictures I created. They all feature words on the body that relate to the thoughts, feelings and emotions that accompany a certain mental illness, however whereas Chelsea Paige took all of her images from a front perspective, I took my images from a range of different angles, highlighting certain words whilst still cutting off the eyes just as Paige does. Objectively, this is a black and white image that is very desaturated. There is little contrast in the image due to the lack of shadows within the image. The picture features the side of a body with a close up of the arm and the a bra. There are words on the body that have been cut off. Subjectively, I think this image has been fairly successful in portraying a mental illness through words on a body. The words have been cut off however, I think this adds to the ambiguity of the image. The viewer has to look at the image for a couple of seconds to work out what the words say, however when they do, they are shocked into an awareness that it is these kind of harsh emotions that someone with a mental illness is subjected to.

I think my developmental work has been successful so far in portraying the effects of a mental illness on a person. I have used techniques such as the bulb setting on my camera to create the effect of multiple figures all within one shot in order to portray the inner turmoil of someone with a mental health condition. I have also experimented with words on different peoples bodies to use a literal approach in my photography. Words such as 'depression', 'anxiety' and 'fear' all represent both the effects and feelings of someone with different mental illnesses. Another way in which I attempted to portray the different effects of a mental illness is through the use of food and order. In the style of John William Keedy I have experimented with different foods such as jelly beans and peas and put them into order by colour and then into rows. This is to portray the time consuming way some people with mental illnesses such as OCD have to eat on a daily basis. I think I have been successful in my initial portray of mental illness through my photography and it is something I hope to develop further. I think I am going to experiment with self-portraiture as well as movement next as this is something many of the photographers who I have studied use self portraiture. I want to experiment with movement to portray the inner turmoil of someone with a mental illness but rather than conveying it in a literal sense, I want to try and portray the effects of a mental illness in an abstract way. 

In conclusion I would argue that there are a number of photographers who's photography make the viewer aware of the effects of mental illnesses. Photographers such as Chelsea Paige and John William Keedy take very literal approaches to their photography through the use of writing and objects such as food. Photographers such as Christian Hopkins and Daniel Regan take on a more abstract form of photography to portray the effects of mental illnesses, therefore a member of the general public viewing their photography may not get that these particular photographers are aiming to portray mental illness. However, even though all of the above photographers portray the effects of mental illness in their photography, with the exception of Daniel Regan who states he 'goes around old mental health institutes to make the public aware of how people who suffer from mental health issues are treated, the other photographers are not aiming to do this. Rather than doing their photography with the intent of making the general public aware of the issues that accompany a mental health condition, instead they do their photography as a coping mechanism for their own mental health conditions. Therefore it could be argued that photography is largely used more as a therapeutic method for people with mental health conditions rather than as a device to make the public aware of the effects a mental health condition can have on a person.