Have you made formal portrait of schizophrenic person?

faberryman said:

As I told my kids, just do your best job.

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jtk said:

I am confronted with the opportunity to photograph a medically diagnosed, obviously schizophrenic adult who cannot function in the world outside his family home.

I do have some direct experience and formal education that's relevant.

But I'm asking myself questions.

If I do this I will not be allowed to share the results without family permission... and I know that my motivation is something like an athlete's private self-tests, involving ego... Why, then, would I do it?

One partial answer is that the family wants it...and maybe the subject will appreciate it in some way.

An ethical question: Would I be taking advantage of this disabled person for my own self-seeking reasons? I'm not nearly as dedicated as Arbus, about whom that sort of question is often asked.

Have you photographically dealt with something like this, asked yourself similar questions?

What's your non-hypothetical, real experience?

I'm envisioning a very simple Avedon simulation at the person's home with minimal lights.

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zowno said:

Hey mate, I have schizophrenia and I'm a photographer myself. You're overthinking this! Don't worry about taking advantage, so many people love having their picture taken. I love having portraits done, makes me feel like a super normal functioning person. You should try not to think of the disability in that way

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jtk said:

I am confronted with the opportunity to photograph a medically diagnosed, obviously schizophrenic adult who cannot function in the world outside his family home.

I do have some direct experience and formal education that's relevant.

But I'm asking myself questions.

If I do this I will not be allowed to share the results without family permission... and I know that my motivation is something like an athlete's private self-tests, involving ego... Why, then, would I do it?

One partial answer is that the family wants it...and maybe the subject will appreciate it in some way.

An ethical question: Would I be taking advantage of this disabled person for my own self-seeking reasons? I'm not nearly as dedicated as Arbus, about whom that sort of question is often asked.

Have you photographically dealt with something like this, asked yourself similar questions?

What's your non-hypothetical, real experience?

I'm envisioning a very simple Avedon simulation at the person's home with minimal lights.

Click to expand...

CMoore said:

My ex-wife and son are both Schizophrenic.
Unless this person is WAY out of control.....
I think you are manufacturing problems that do not exist.....at all.

The family does not want you to Share/Show the photos....why is that a problem for you.? Why do you need to show them to anybody.?

It is a job or a favor the Family has asked you to do.. How can you or anybody, possibly construe THAT as "taking advantage of".?
This a a person with a Mental Disease......like taking a picture of somebody with Arthritis, or Cancer, or Dandruff.
They are not a "freak" in a Carnival.....they are just another person.
This forum Really needs one of those.....*I Don;t Know*...*Shoulder Shrug* icons....like a Smiley Face thing..[/QUOTE


Nobody is "just another person." Everybody is an individual.

Some families (including parents) and some photographers do "take advantage of" .

A "portrait" requires willing participation of the subject. No "candid" photo is a portrait. If you've read this thread you'd know that's what I asked about.

Discussion and debate are healthy: I appreciate the various thoughtful responses to my OT.

To reduce free expression to "icons" equals voluntary lobotomy.

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