Photo taken by contributor Elijah Weerts, a 20-year-old photography student. People have always seen him as the outgoing, fun to be around, positive kid all through his life. He wasn’t ever “allowed” to be sad or at least he felt that he had to be the person who made everyone feel better. He thought that if he showed that he was sad that he was letting people down. Elijah has been a photography major for the past four semesters of college, and every time he does self-portraits people seem to respond to them very emotionally. Whether it be happy, uncomfortable, or sad, people are drawn to them. Photography allows him to show how he is feeling without having to say anything. It lets all of him be shown in a way people can somehow relate to and that’s what he gets passionate about. He wants people to feel something when they see his images. He wants people to actually stop and think about who they are.
About this photo: “Mental Hospital Doctor, Muslim, Evil Villian, Mummy, Ninja, it goes on and on. I’ve heard so many things about what this image makes people think and feel. I made this photograph to see how people would react based on what you know. The blank face allows you as the viewer to put a face to it on your own. I wanted the viewer to create the scenario in which they are engaging with this unknown character.”
_____
**Visit Broken Light’s main gallery here. Currently accepting submissions.
*Like us on Facebook & Twitter. Follow below for e-mail notifications.
Broken Light Collective 