View allAll Photos Tagged coping
Recently one morning our children made themselves some homemade hot chocolate after they were outside shoveling snow in very cold weather.
Noob shot that I lost from the stream... ;)
🎵 Can someone tell me if it's wrong to be so mad about you?
Hotline
I took this image as I sat outside in our car while my husband who is immunosuppressed/high risk health due to heart/double lung & kidney transplants was inside an urgent care because he was sick (late that night we found out he had covid). In an effort to not miss a day of my 365 on film I brought my film and digital cameras. As I sat anxiously waiting in the car for over 2 hours I tried to keep looking for light and capture some of the light I saw. Doing this helped me to cope in a very scary situation when my anxiety level was extremely high and I had to be able to function since my husband was sick. This was my view looking into the back seat seeing the artificial light from the street lights in the parking lot shining on my notebook I write in each day. To the left my husband’s bag of clothing and belongings in case he was admitted to the hospital, my camera bag in the middle and to the right a small lunch bag with some string cheese as we left home in a hurry before having time to eat supper in order to drive an hour for medical care. These images take me back to this day back in August and I’m thankful God gave me the ability to help myself cope in this way—by looking for light and trying to capture it.
Moving Forward is a collection of abstract, ICM (intentional camera movement) images taken in moments of desperation, while trying to survive and find a healthy way to cope with the intense effects of trauma, CPTSD, anxiety and depression. The practice of therapeutic photography and healing actions of taking steps and moving forward come together in this photo project. May it be a source of hope, inspiration, peace or encouragement for you.
You can read more about this zine and photo project here: amandacreamerphotography.com/2023/02/18/photo-project-mov...
You can order the Morving Forward zine here: www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/2406230
Disappearing because of the darkness and desperately trying to find the light.
[image created on 2-23-2024]
Recently I became very fascinated by digital pinhole photography. This image was created with a modified pinhole body cap. I think I’m drawn to this type of photography because I feel it relates to my life and it seems to teach me far beyond photography. There are strict limitations that can drastically alter how images are captured and the final outcome of the photos, there is a lack of clarity compared to how I normally capture images with a lens, it’s difficult to predict exactly how the image will look and beauty and meaning can be found in the process and the final photo. It gives me a chance to practice embracing the unfamiliar, change, finding beauty in imperfection and growing in new ways.
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As a way to cope with circumstances beyond my control, survive and work to keep fighting for life I decided to try to take at least one photo (or more) each day. I call this “a photo (or more) a day.” Practicing this form of therapeutic photography helps me work to focus on the present moment, gives me something familiar and enjoyable to focus on as I use photography skills that have become like second-nature to me and being able to view the images I capture helps me recall what I was thinking, feeling and noticing at the moment when I created the photos. More of the photos from this series can be seen on my Instagram account
I may not always have the energy, time or capacity to share photos from this series—especially with the very challenging circumstances my family and I are experiencing—and will do my best to continue taking a photo (or more) a day even if I’m not able to share.
If you would like to support my work and my family, one way you can do so is by ordering my zines:
Many thanks for your support.
This is from the second of two rolls of expired film given to me. I shot this roll of Fuji Superia xtra 400 (expired in 2014) just for fun at a local state park back on 4/4/2021 with my Nikon FE and 35mm f/2. I developed this roll at home, "scanned" it with my DSLR and converted the negatives to positives using Negative Lab Pro. It was a nice and refreshing experience to just shoot this roll for fun, to notice my surroundings and try to capture whatever caught my eye (not knowing how it might turn out since it was expired and prepare myself that if it was a "complete loss" it wouldn't be the end of the world--at least I enjoyed the shooting experience). The developing and scanning process helped me to continue to grow in film photography and as a person as well. I'm thankful for what I've learned and for the many kind and gifted people in the film community who have shared their images and encouraged and inspired me to keep shooting film and learning. I can see a positive change in my view of my photos and that seems to match how I am changing as a person over time--less critical of myself and my photos, open to learning and growing as a person and a photographer, and more open to the beautiful imperfections both in myself and in my photos.
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Nikon FE
Nikon 35mm f/2
Fuji Superia xtra 400 (expired 2014)
Image taken 4/4/2021
Self developed at home in Unicolor C41
“Scanned” with my DSLR
Negative converted to positive with Negative Lab Pro
It is challenging for me to believe I finally get to share this with you: my CLOUDS zine is now available for order!
You can see more images and find out more information here: amandacreamerphotography.com/2022/08/27/photo-project-clo...
I had this tiny sketchbook and one of my favorite pens in my jacket pocket nearly 2 weeks ago [10/3/22] while anxiously sitting in the waiting area at the hospital during my husband’s bronchoscopy that was being done so doctors could diagnose what type of lung infection my husband had in order to treat it effectively. I became even more anxious and overwhelmed when my husband’s lung transplant doctor came out and talked to me and let me know that his lungs looked bad enough that he would probably need to be admitted to the hospital. As I sat there, not knowing how I would manage to survive the anxiety, stress, fear, unknown and overwhelm I was experiencing, I pulled out this tiny sketchbook and wrote some phrases that came to mind in order to help myself try my best to cope. I am thankful for the gift we each have of listening to what may be helpful for us to cope in the moment.
To be continued…
Here we have the family, Mum Dad and youngster. The youngster was demanding food and attention from his parents.
His feathers are quite a lot darker than both the adults, they will fade in time meanwhile it is quite hard to see him in the terrain. He has apparently recently fallen out of the nest but so far Mum and Dad are coping with him. Shortly after this Dad flew off to rest and Mum fed the youngster.
I hope you are not bored with the eagles it was such a wonderful encounter and as you probably guessed I took loads of photos, there are a couple more I might share!
On a mild winter’s day
A couple of the stone copings have been forced off into the river below; leaving the bed of cement mortar showing. Some leaves have collected there.
At Towneley park
Burnley
Lancashire
isolating ourselves is not easy. even for loners and recluses, like many of us are. many are restricted from those things they love to do, forced to stay indoors more than they like. i feel for you. i actually like being couped up with my glass and doodads.
i love that so many of you photograph the great outdoors and others record gorgeous architecture, complex and beautiful cityscapes. others specialize in the many fabulous faces of people all over the world. it's all good.
i like glass and since joining flickr, i have a place to share that passion. i see things in glass. i love how light passes through it and how it is captured within it. if you get truly bored and
feel imprisoned, start looking around your home and try thinking like margie. it starts with my imagination and of course, my camera.
with your imagination, you can go anywhere without ever going out the door. p.s. i never use my flash. only naked bulb and natural light.
Your experience feels as though it's beyond explanation—trapped in terror, alone, isolated, the past takes over, fuzzy details, immobilized, panic, visionless, shaking in fear, re-living overwhelming buried emotions and tormenting physical experiences, voiceless, re-experiencing the unspeakable, difficulty breathing, sometimes completely unable to breathe, awful intensity that steals a desire to survive and live. In this state it seems impossible to even imagine there could be a window of escape, like you will always be held captive by evil. And somehow, you’ve survived these moments, though you’re often not sure how you keep fighting when your strength is failing. Slowly you are gaining more insight into your experience as you work so hard to keep fighting for life.
[image created on 2-23-2024]
Recently I became very fascinated by digital pinhole photography. This image was created with a modified pinhole body cap. I think I’m drawn to this type of photography because I feel it relates to my life and it seems to teach me far beyond photography. There are strict limitations that can drastically alter how images are captured and the final outcome of the photos, there is a lack of clarity compared to how I normally capture images with a lens, it’s difficult to predict exactly how the image will look and beauty and meaning can be found in the process and the final photo. It gives me a chance to practice embracing the unfamiliar, change, finding beauty in imperfection and growing in new ways.
____________________________
As a way to cope with circumstances beyond my control, survive and work to keep fighting for life I decided to try to take at least one photo (or more) each day. I call this “a photo (or more) a day.” Practicing this form of therapeutic photography helps me work to focus on the present moment, gives me something familiar and enjoyable to focus on as I use photography skills that have become like second-nature to me and being able to view the images I capture helps me recall what I was thinking, feeling and noticing at the moment when I created the photos. More of the photos from this series can be seen on my Instagram account
I may not always have the energy, time or capacity to share photos from this series—especially with the very challenging circumstances my family and I are experiencing—and will do my best to continue taking a photo (or more) a day even if I’m not able to share.
If you would like to support my work and my family, one way you can do so is by ordering my zines:
Many thanks for your support.
Even in the unknown, even in the middle of the intense and painful moments…trying to keep watching and looking for light
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Another of many images I’ve taken from the passenger seat on a drive home from one of my neurofeedback appointments. I never know how these images will turn out as we’re driving down one of the highways or the interstate we travel. This process of making photos of my surroundings really is helpful and calming for me.
A Transport for Wales train to Cheltenham rounds the bend where a speed restriction is in place due to a landslide from the amount of rain that's fallen.
Now that's a business model right there. Snacks, sweets, junk food, alcohol, cigarettes - and also newspapers, so you don't risk running out of anxiety to cope with!
Market Street, St Andrews
This memorial is erected in a central part of Market-street in St. Andrew's, where the thoroughfare is of unusual width. The stone used in the structure is principally Dumfries red sandstone, obtained from the well-known Corncockle quarries on the estate of Sir Alexander Jardine, Bart, Lockerbie, and while an agreeable warmth of colour is thus obtained, a telling effect of contrast is secured by the introduction of columns and copings of polished Dalbeattie granite. Quoted from the Scottish Architects' website
coping with weird lighting situation. An Osprey sitting a lamppost that over looks the Harbor in Morro Bay, Ca. I've seen Osprey eating fish up there before.
As part of a creative endeavor I'm learning about making books. It was a joy that some of my children wanted to join me in learning a new skill. Gideon—age 12–made a few small sketchbooks and gave me one. I chose this green one and was naturally inspired to title it "grow" and fill it with pen & paper doodles that illustrate growth. Intuitively filling these pages with simple doodles as I faced intense physical and emotional struggles following very overwhelming hospitalizations and health complications was helpful in coping. To me I find it amazing how doing "little" things can add up and sometimes be helpful. I faced many intense moments and was thankful I could notice some benefits in making these basic doodles.
One summer evening I was having a very challenging time, intensely battling the long-term, ongoing mental health struggles I face each moment of each day. I felt like I couldn’t do anything and also felt like I couldn’t do nothing. Somehow I pushed myself to go outside at sunset. I just started walking down our gravel road in an effort to try to stay somewhat active and try to cope. I had the idea to experiment with ICM (intentional camera movement) by using a slow shutter speed to capture the motion as I was walking. I can’t really put it into words how this was helpful for me. Though the images are very abstract, to me they’re beautiful because they show that I was standing and moving forward even when it felt impossible and I had no idea how I would survive. After I used this method one evening I also naturally repeated the process a few other nights within the next couple weeks as a way to try to help myself cope and survive.
Moving Forward is a collection of abstract, ICM (intentional camera movement) images taken in moments of desperation, while trying to survive and find a healthy way to cope with the intense effects of trauma, CPTSD, anxiety and depression. The practice of therapeutic photography and healing actions of taking steps and moving forward come together in this photo project. May it be a source of hope, inspiration, peace or encouragement for you.
You can read more about this zine and photo project here: amandacreamerphotography.com/2023/02/18/photo-project-mov...
You can order the Morving Forward zine here: www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/2406230
Even in the middle of experiencing the ongoing effects of unspeakable experiences, destruction, harm, devastation, disconnection, sadness and terror you still work hard to look for light and find some beauty. This certainly isn’t easy and it’s something you aren’t always capable of at all times. And it is courageous and admirable that in the middle of extreme difficulty you continue to grow as you practice searching for these glimmers of hope, not as a way to pretend everything is alright, but as a way to help yourself move through the unspeakable at a pace that is appropriate for you.
[image created on 4-27-2023]
As part of a creative endeavor I'm learning about making books. It was a joy that some of my children wanted to join me in learning a new skill. Gideon—age 12–made a few small sketchbooks and gave me one. I chose this green one and was naturally inspired to title it "grow" and fill it with pen & paper doodles that illustrate growth. Intuitively filling these pages with simple doodles as I faced intense physical and emotional struggles following very overwhelming hospitalizations and health complications was helpful in coping. To me I find it amazing how doing "little" things can add up and sometimes be helpful. I faced many intense moments and was thankful I could notice some benefits in making these basic doodles.
Each stitch is like a breath, a steady reminder, an anchor to the present moment, a tiny step in the healing process that multiplies and gives life. As I worked on tearing the paper to size, folding the signatures, creating the cover, piercing the stitching holes, stitching the binding, contemplating, creating and hand-making the pages of this book it was an opportunity to remind myself that the storm is over—the exact same unspeakable events from the past are not happening in the present even though it often feels like I’m trapped there, unable to escape to freedom. I am still experiencing and dealing with the awful, crippling, devastating, disorienting effects of the storm….and the storm is over. I can’t “logic” my way out of this and I can work to remind myself that the storm is over.
In addition to photography, book binding and art journaling have become deeply meaningful and helpful in my healing process—I am so thankful for the survival, coping and healing found in these moments of creativity.
[image created on 5-13-2024]
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If you would like to support my work and my family, one way you can do so is by ordering my zines:
Many thanks for your support.