Something that is not strange to me is the burden of loneliness that many elderly people live on a daily basis. For years, (I started as a volunteer and now I do it professionally), I have been teaching senior citizens the use of computers, and recently how to use cell phones and tablets.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau 11 million, or 28% of people aged 65 and older, lived alone at the time of the census. As people get older, their likelihood of living alone only increases. Additionally, more and older adults do not have children, reports the AARP, and that means fewer family members to provide company and care as those adults become seniors.
My involvement teaching seniors the odd of computers has been overwhelming due to the experiences they shared with me, and the friendships we have created.
One of the main reasons why they enroll in courses to learn how to use computers is the illusion of being able to communicate more with their loved ones. Solitude is something that they donāt enjoy.
Recently I found myself dealing with a friend that was diagnosed with a deep case of depression. She is not a senior, indeed she is young and healthy, but I noticed the similarity of her symptoms to those who feel lonely.
I start wondering how many of the seniors are lonely and how many of them are depress. How these two extreme conditions match or stay apart.
I found an article in the online Blog of HUFFPOST writing By GlamourGals Foundation, Inc. called āElder Loneliness: Is There a Solution to the Solitude?ā that I would like to use as part of the backbone for my project.
The article mentions that loneliness is a severe emotion and the population that is more prompted to suffer from solitude is seniors. The articleĀ also states that 70% of the senior population is women, and 46% without children. As the article mentions, most of the senior population have difficulties to keep the relationship with their adult children.
The other part of the spinal cord of my project will be based on an Archana Singh and Nishi Misra research paper about depression and loneliness. They state: āDepression or the occurrence of depressive symptomatology is a prominent condition amongst older people, with a significant impact on the well-being and quality of life.ā
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/glamourgals-foundation-inc/elder-care_b_1607401.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3016701/
An extra source about depression:
http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/aging-depression.aspx
About my Audience: I think this is a topic for everybody, but the reality is different and the audience that could be interested in this work are people between 50 and 70 years old. But if the campaign is successful it could reach a younger audience.
About People: I would like to include people as well as to use props. I am talking with some of my old friends, trying to convince them to help me. As soon as I get the first yes I will start the logistics for the day of the shooting. If I can’t find people for the shooting I have a plan B. I will use different objects portrait the solitude and depression as big problem that doesn’t have enough attention.
Literal orĀ Metaphoric: I think it will be a combination of both. It is not a poem and it is based on an article, but also the depression factor could make the difference since depression is something that no many people have clear what exactly is or how could affect to someone.
Models:Ā I work with senior citizens and many of them are my friends. I already asked some of them to help me and they are thinking about it. I hope they could help me.
Objects: If I don’t have the Models, I will shoot props that are related to the topic. A cane, a frame with a faded old picture, a bible, a broken cup of tea, different jewelry.Ā knitting needles, I would love to shoot a Rocket Chair but…
Light:Ā The light will be dramatic since the theme is not a cheerful one. 3 points light with different lighting ratio. Short light, split light, broad. I will use strobes, not continues light. I will try to bring with me a couple of prime lenses.
Photographic Technique: I will shoot in color but I will try B&W. I will use three lights triangle with strobes. I want to try White and Black backgrounds. I will try, with the props, to get a DOF.
Gabriel Flores
This is a great topic. I hope you can get some models to come in. There are also a lot of older people around our school. Professors and staff. I agree that high contrast light with an extreme lighting ratio is right for this topic. And every detail should be visible on the modelās faces. Here you donāt want to hide the imperfections and signs of age.
When thinking of still life objects, think small. We donāt really have a set for a cane. An old broken cup or a place setting for one could work.