Grains of sand in the desert
Portraits before and after death.
"This somber 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."
Be sure to read the text accompanying the photos.
When my father was dying, my sister and I drew pencil sketches of him. Taking a photo would have felt so vulgar (Walter Schels photos are beautiful however- and consensual). One thing that touched me in this series was how one man said his friends tried to "cheer him up" by watching football, bringing beer over, even saying "get better soon mate" as they left.
I saw people doing that to my dad too when he was dying of cancer. I felt like it was a selfish thing for people to say to someone who is dying.... they say it because they feel too awkward to accept the reality of the situation and be there for that person. I didn't say get well soon... I had my quiet moment with him, the details of which I will keep private, but I did not bullshit him about what was going on and let him feel... I let it all be real in that moment then... real and ok.... I'm proud of that and I hope he is too.
"This somber 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."
Be sure to read the text accompanying the photos.
When my father was dying, my sister and I drew pencil sketches of him. Taking a photo would have felt so vulgar (Walter Schels photos are beautiful however- and consensual). One thing that touched me in this series was how one man said his friends tried to "cheer him up" by watching football, bringing beer over, even saying "get better soon mate" as they left.
I saw people doing that to my dad too when he was dying of cancer. I felt like it was a selfish thing for people to say to someone who is dying.... they say it because they feel too awkward to accept the reality of the situation and be there for that person. I didn't say get well soon... I had my quiet moment with him, the details of which I will keep private, but I did not bullshit him about what was going on and let him feel... I let it all be real in that moment then... real and ok.... I'm proud of that and I hope he is too.
