Whilst reading The Photographer magazine from the British Institute of Professional Photography I came across an article about Kevin Wilson's 'Centenarian' work.
This personal project interested me mainly because it reminded me of my final assignment for The Art of Photography, course which was based on my mum who has dementia and my daily life with her. It would seem from the article that Wilson encountered some of the same problems as I did "lack of mobility,lack of mental capacity,short attention span.....' while trying to make each image appear different from the next.
Another reason I was drawn to these images is the use of black and white photography and the justification for using it - " I knew that these images would not work in colour. The black and white brings you back to the ravages of time and life-I wanted to see that and for it to be the most important element of the picture". I completely agree with this statement, the whole feel of the images would change if they were in colour, it just would not suit them. With black and white the texture of the skin is highlighted and expression and emotion come across more strongly.
The gentleman in this image goes out on to the streets every year to selling poppies, he has fought in several battles and was even a bodyguard for Winston Churchill! He still lives by himself and goes up and down the stairs shown behind him in the image, everyday. I like the fact that you learn a little about the person in the image again adding to the connection the viewer feels which was noted in the role of the photos, to "help us be aware of the people around us whom we'd otherwise not notice". It has made me think that everyone has their own story which can be unravelled through photography.
Unfortunately this was the only image I was able to include as no others were available online.
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