Swing, Swing (Suicide Experiment)

[jordan.meeter]

Unfortunately, we had trouble getting poor Mike down. Ah, well, he lived a good life anyways.

http://jordanmeeter.com/uploadr/files/1/swingswing.jpg

(just kidding)

[led hed]

disturbing. i don't like the topic.

[Discordia]

I like the topic, although not the image, its too dark(lighting wise), not enough contrast, everything sort of blends togeather

[zacker]

its different, ill give ya that! i think the feet should be pointing down a bit more though.

[jordan.meeter]

Yeah, it's this stupid film that I use. I gotta switch to something else...

[zacker]

Poor Mike, we should send flowers.....

[DatsEvolution]

Strange... I look at this shot and feel that it needs to be more grainy to be effective. Just my opinion though.

[Sonic Infidel]

I like the composition and the style. A small amount of defining light on the left side might be in order, but overall, it's pretty effective as is.

[SWPhotoImaging]

It's creepy, but poignant.

needs to have bodily fluids dripping from his toes to a puddle on the floor . . .

[jklewer]

Strange... I look at this shot and feel that it needs to be more grainy to be effective. Just my opinion though.

It ought to look like it was printed in a newspaper or something. Might make it pretty neat!

[Brandon James]

I really like it. It is kind of dark, but it doesnt matter to me. It is effective, and I think you did a great job :)

[_andrew]

As others have said - is a tad too dark for me. The idea of what has happened works well though.

Oh and poor mike ;) lol

[jseens]

Is Mike supposed to be a child because it looks like a child's legs to me. Very disturbing.

[drandtus]

This is gonna sound weird (maybe), but I like pictures that get under my skin a bit. I think it means that you did something right. Crazy idea and well done.

[zacker]

Is Mike supposed to be a child because it looks like a child's legs to me. Very disturbing.


its prolly more like Mike and the shooter / OP are younger guys... it is a bit disturbing but it does show that some thought went into it and thats always a good thing. Self expression? yeah... prolly. Good job OP... what else ya got to show us?

[Vinni]

It's a tacky topic, though when executed well it can stand apart from the rest.

This one is underexposed and your subject's feet are too restrained, loosen them.

[jordan.meeter]

Is Mike supposed to be a child because it looks like a child's legs to me. Very disturbing.
They're actually mine (I'm 18). I tried using my girlfriend but she couldn't hold herself up long enough for me to get a shot. So I just got everything set up on a tripod and had her push the shutter release. Heh.

[AberyClark]

I like this. I like things that makes one think. The photo gives a sense of lonliness. The feet should be more flowing....maybe look at an actual hanging pic. Maybe some distorted floor under the body (represents fluids without being overly gross). Maybe wear long pants with wet fluid running down leg. Suicide is a tough subject...but it's a piece of art that should make one think.....the lonliness of the victom...was he in trouble? depressed? The photo makes one wonder...maybe the viewer knows people like this...maybe motivate one to seek that person out. I know I may be a bit deep on this one....but I like the idea. I hope you don't mind a bit of editing I did. I tried to convey the image to make it look like its from an old Police file from the 40's or 50's (the shorts..make this a bit modern dated).Anyway..abit of grainyness and contrast adjustment makes this a bit moor creepy In my opinion. The old B&W, dark movies with all the distortion in sound during the quiet parts are way more creepy in my opinion.

[Fade2]

If you were going for shock value show the pic from neck down!
:rolleyes:

[cgratti]

It's creepy, but poignant.

needs to have bodily fluids dripping from his toes to a puddle on the floor . . .
With a hanging I dont feel he needs the fluids. I like the concept, but the technique needs a reworking. Try shooting this from a higher angle looking down at the toes, closer to the body, and add more grain and contrast.

[jordan.meeter]

I wasn't necessarily going for shock value, I was just experimenting.

[Denovo]

I am not sure if this shot is intended to be serious or comical....

If comical I like...
1) The fact that he is wearing Starter shorts.
2) The fact that the stool is the tiniest stool ever.

If it is serious I don't like...
1) The fact that he is wearing Starter shorts - IMO shorts are something you wear when you are relaxing around the house or working out - two things that a suicidal person would not be doing. Don't ask me how or why I thought of this but I did - it just didn't seem to work with the topic.
2) The fact that the stool is the tiniest stool ever - it makes it look comical.

I would agree about the feet pointing down more. If you do want to create a powerful observational commentary on what a hanging is like I would slow down my shutter speed and have my friend rock his feet back and forth a bit (with a bigger stool turned over of course).

[Stav_98]

Mixture of the above. I like the topic, I don't find it disturbing as this stuff happens every day. Just "taboo" to people I guess. I do feel the photo itself is missing something, to be honest though I'm not sure what.

[SWPhotoImaging]

With a hanging I dont feel he needs the fluids. I like the concept, but the technique needs a reworking. Try shooting this from a higher angle looking down at the toes, closer to the body, and add more grain and contrast.

cgratti: Having personally witnessed the aftermath of such situations twice in my life, I would say you can't die from hanging without voiding. I know, TMI, but it does go to authenticity.

That said, I think the angle that would best depict the scene is one with a very wide-angle shot from on-the-floor level, with floor and feet in sharp focus and the upper torso going out of focus until the shoulders/head are merely vague shapes, but included, perhaps as silhouetted shapes against a bare ceiling bulb. This would also allow you to suggest a rope/noose/whatever without actually using it.

I like the earlier suggestions of adding grain and contrast, too.

Just an idea . . .

Anyway, it is a creative exercise.