Haunting and Moving Photos

[katrinak]

I saw this on a blog this morning and thought I would share. They are moving and haunting. The descriptions and care the photographer had in putting this together is really evident.

This sombre series of portraits taken of people before and after they had died is a challenging and poignant study. The work by German photographer Walter Schels and his partner Beate Lakotta, who recorded interviews with the subjects in their final days, reveals much about dying - and living.

***Caution****they will provoke strong emotions

Life Before Death

Wow, Katrina. I appreciate you sharing this. WOW.

[luv2cre8]

Very powerful Katrina. In fact, I couldn't bear to look at all of them but will go back later and read their stories.

[katrinak]

Originally Posted by jingreenbay

Very powerful Katrina. In fact, I couldn't bear to look at all of them but will go back later and read their stories.

I stopped before the end too...the stories are as moving as the photos. I couldn't get over how peaceful and even happy a few of the after photos were.

[kb522]

Do you read Dooce's blog, Katrina? :-)

[Starlite9711]

I couldnt look at all of them either, but very interesting. Thanks for sharing!

[katrinak]

Originally Posted by kb522

Do you read Dooce's blog, Katrina? :-)

Yes, and that's where I found the link. I've dropped in on her blog every week or so for the last 3 years!

[kb522]

That's funny. I read her blog all the time, too! I love it.

[sam ellis]

wow wow wow

those stories are HAUNTING as you say. wow .. as I type this I feel the weirdest sensation in my hands and heart ! life is SUCH a gift and how many of us worry about what colour socks we have on !

wow

TFS

[sam ellis]

You know the weirdest thing is I have wanted to take photographs of crosses on the side of the road. ( don't know if this happens in the USA but here if someone has had a car accident some sort of cross and flowers is placed there by loved ones)

Before you think I am a crazed woman here's my thinking :

Some of them are so well kept and the people clearly go back there as a way to deal with the grief. those people are being honored -- some in a big way - some in a small way. And I have often thought I would love to get their stories... just to honour their lives ! and do a book.

weird but this has often come into my mind

[Fran Bloor]

Very powerful set of pictures that are moving without being sentimental or pitying.

Thank you for sharing the link

[katrinak]

Originally Posted by sam ellis

wow wow wow

those stories are HAUNTING as you say. wow .. as I type this I feel the weirdest sensation in my hands and heart ! life is SUCH a gift and how many of us worry about what colour socks we have on !

wow

TFS

Oh Sam, you captured so perfectly exactly what happened to me.

Today I'm not wearing socks...

[iUma]

Katrina, that is very bold stuff. In 1979, fresh out of grad school, I taught a course in Death and Dying at the university where I had a tenure track teaching position. Back then my colleagues thought it was odd but the class was always wait listed. People need to see death to treasure life and this series of photos is so honoring of the whole circle. Thank you for being so bold to share these here where so much is about the light and joy of life. I am finding some of us who want to use this medium for deeper exploration. This thread encourages me in that direction.
Thank you again.