View allAll Photos Tagged selfimage
Day 147/365
I don't know what happened. I don't. I went to get my chest xray. I went to order replacement lenses for my glasses (finally). And while I was at the mall... I ...
I bought a dress. Now that may not seem too amazing except I don't really wear dresses. I bought one a few years ago and wore it once or twice but never really felt comfortable in it. And even so, that was really a pretty basic black dress.
The dress I bought today... is purple. It's got a low-cut neckline, and it ends about mid-calf. it is, officially, the "prettiest" thing I think I've owned since I was a little girl. I got it home, and put it on and wore it around the house for awhile, trying to get used to it. I left the tags on. I hung it on the rack right by my bedroom door and stared at it, trying to decide if I should take it back.
And then I put it back on. I set up my little corner studio, I set up my camera and I took some photos.
I smiled and rolled my eyes and attempted to look coy. I felt ridiculous. And then I looked at the photos and realized that I wasn't feeling ridiculous at all... I was feeling pretty.
I felt pretty. I felt beautiful. I didn't feel fat. I didn't feel ugly. I didn't feel unworthy.
I twirled. I smoothed the fabric down. I took more pictures.
And I took the tags out.
I promised friends I'd wear it to a concert on Friday.
When I put on that dress, I look in the mirror and I see things that I haven't seen before. I see a pretty girl. I see a bright smile, and shining eyes. I see determination and light and passion.
I like the way I feel when I'm in that dress. Which isn't to say I don't still have moments... when I notice my belly, when i can't see my toes, when I realize people can see my flabby arms, my stretch marks. But then I think about the way the color looks against my skin, the way my eyes get bright. And I go right back to feeling beautiful again.
So, I bought a dress.
And that seems to have made all the difference.
Whenever two people meet, there are really six people present.
Each person as they see themselves. Each person as the other person sees them.
And each person as they really are.
— William James
Typeface: Salzburg
This photo is a narrative to represent the sadness and self disgust that a person with an eating disorders feels both inside and out. Everything was chosen for a specific purpose from the bathroom itself located in a run down abandonded home to the flowers and mirror.
Part 2
For anyone that knows me, or has met me in person, you've probably noticed that I slouch and hunch over, that I don't stand up straight. This is because I suffer from scoliosis and kyphosis, which is the curvature of the spine. I have more of the former than the latter, but in any case it means that I literally cannot stand up completely straight.
I was diagnosed with this when I was in high school, and it thankfully hasn't reached a point where surgery is necessary. I also haven't been subjected to a back brace for treatment. I've been keeping an eye on it with visits to a specialist every 3-5 years.
Besides the slouching, and finding normal seating incredibly uncomfortable, I also have to deal with a lot of backaches which means I can't stand still for long periods of time.
This photo wasn't exposed properly, I don't have a studio to work with or proper lighting, but I tried to make do with a black sheet and some in-camera exposure control. If I lived in a warmer climate, or if it wasn't currently winter, I might consider doing this outside to get some better lighting.
I've never actually taken a photo of my back before, or even really looked closely in the mirror, so there was a bit of self-discovery involved with this photo (that sounds weird). Besides the odd crease below my ribs, I think my back looks fairly "normal".
Edit: Apparently I missed a huge chunk of the black background when post-processing, this is a result of me not having a proper computer chair and sitting at a downward angle from my monitor. The top part of my screen appears darker than the rest. If I hadn't seen this photo on my phone, I never would have noticed. Replaced with the updated version (I had to stand to edit the photo properly).
This abstract started out as a soap bubble (about 4" across, the kind made from the soap bubble toys you buy for kids!)
It ended up as two birds in love!
Please see my "Bubble Self Portrait" to see a bubble like the one in which this abstract began.
Day 36.
You all know I hate my body. My belly never gets to see the light of day, but in my defence I am over 50 and have had two children, so it's never going to be taut or lose the stretchmarks.
However, though I was in two minds about using this photo for today's 365, I decided that since this is more of a blog of my day-to-day life, and I'm carrying on with the diet, it may be useful to chart my progress.
And I have to report that it's going ok. I have lost just over a stone in weight since I started it 4 weeks ago (and as you can see, the T-shirt is too baggy and the jeans are now looser and I've had to add a couple of extra holes in the belt), I'm feeling happier in myself (though some of you may actually doubt that), my nails are growing (see earlier 365 photo - day 19) and I'm getting used to my haircut too.
I intend to get more exercise during this upcoming holiday then continue after that and when I return I'll hopefully have made a decision about how I want my working life to go (unless they've made that decision for me by then).
I'll be starting back to my art evening classes on Wednesday evenings and hopefully meeting up with my two mates once a week.
All in all, things are starting to look up.
Typography Poster Project: 2014
(c) SarahCate Creations
.
Background text was taken from messages submitted of things people had been told about their bodies. Inner body text is from various body-positive places around the internet, as well as some of my own personal body mantras.
A retouched photo of myself in vibrant colors. This is what the world would look like if I could dial the color up to the level I use in my drawings.
Modify Evolution posted this as her 365 photo today... I looked at it about a thousand times before deciding to do my own version...
I am no stranger to the trials of self image, I have spent my entire life not so much in a struggle with my weight but certainly what others consider "over weight"... I recently experienced emotions related to my weight that I had hoped I was rid of, and found that I have to learn to love myself again, even if a small step at a time
it was a moment I had
and looking at Mandy's powerful image made me realize how stupid it was
Thank you Mandy
I grabbed this little flyer off the subway on my commute home after work. I assure you that I do NOT hate my body.
However, right now I'm kind of hating it because its managed to succumb a bit to a cold bug of some sort. It's that time of the year at work with tons of sniffling folks and some coworkers (who should keep their cooties at home) - GRRRR!
I made myself some nice soup tonight with chicken, yellow pepper, chive, mushrooms, noodles and A LOT OF GARLIC in a chicken and miso broth. Oh, and some Chinese greens of some sort. Hope it does the trick - cross yer fingers for me kiddies!
Pink-a-Day 185
Mom's on the right. This was her Junior year of High School. The girl on the left is Peggy Jo. Friends told them that Peggy Jo was the "pretty one" and Mom was the "cute one." I don't see it exaclty that way...
Feminist/Sexist
BFA Thesis Project and Gallery Show
As a twenty-one year old woman, I am often faced with the need and desire to fulfill two or more conflicting roles. By showing the audience only the black and white, I encourage them to reflect on their own gray areas. I use quilts, traditionally a woman's medium, as sites to talk about sexuality, self-image, and stereotypes.