A photographic healing process

Photos + Words by  Benedict Stenning

A tangle of thoughts and emotions I can’t untangle.
Confused and lost in a labyrinth of half-formed plans and ideas.
Enough. Stop.
I need to get out of here right now.
Need space. Need to breathe.

Raw roar.
It carries all of my deepest troubles into the wind and crashing sea.
It’s not enough.
This feels weird, I feel weird.
Is this a breakdown, is this what one feels like?

A black eyed dog he called at my door
A black eyed dog he called for more
A black eyed dog knew my name...

Nick Drakes haunting song going around and around in my head. I feel this has been travelling towards me for a while now and finally found me, it knew my name and today it came knocking.

My being feels torn.
Snagged on the barbs of this instant, digital life.
Glitching.
‘Have you tried restarting?’ they say.
That usually fixes things...
Or so we’re told.

The project Black Eyed Dog was born out of a breakdown. Whilst I’m lucky enough to not suffer as much with mental health issues as many do, towards the end of 2018 I found I’d tipped over my own personal limits into a dark place I’d not been before.

The cut and thrust of this instant, digital life had built up to become such a cacophony in my head that I could no longer think rationally or clearly. This time it couldn’t be surpressed, I had to listen to my inner self, stop; take some time to find space, breathe and heal.

During that time I decided to channel that tangle of feelings and emotions into creating a small body of work to try and find a new home for the noise that was trapped in my mind. Some solitude on the seven sisters provided the silence needed to cut through that noise and provided the setting for this series of black and white photographs and accompanying text. This ultimately aided my recovery and turned a negative situation into a positive path out.

Ben
See more of Ben’s work on benedictstenning.com

‘Inversion’ stands as a poignant artistic endeavour, born from the collaboration between photographer Danila Tkachenko and the non-profit organisation Gariwo. This initiative bears witness to the repercussions of Russian military aggression in Ukraine, encapsulated through a travelling photo exhibition. Through the lens of nine courageous military photojournalists, the project unveils the stark realities faced by Ukrainian communities amidst conflict.

Crafting Worlds with Paris Paloma

Singer/songwriter Paris Paloma's journey into music is one that begins with her upbringing and her deep-rooted love for storytelling. When speaking to her ahead of the release of her newest single, “boys, bugs, and men”, she candidly reflected on her transition from creative writing to songwriting, a shift that occurred during her teenage years, and led her to a unique creative process where storytelling meets with ethereal melodies.

And I lie another day

Delve into the introspective world of Karla Guerrero with ‘And I Lie Another Day’ – a photographic series that navigates the nuances of existence and womanhood. Through inherited memories and maternal influences, the artist embarks on a journey of self-discovery and identity.

Immigrant Owned

Meet Jonathan Castillo, a visionary photographer whose work transcends boundaries and celebrates the essence of the American dream. With a keen focus on immigrant entrepreneurship and the vibrant tapestry of local communities, his series illuminates the often overlooked pillars of the American economy.

Beauty – Realism

Realism beauty captures intricate details by creating a sense of intimacy for viewers and invites an appreciation of delicate hues or textures of makeup. Macro photography focuses on individual features while the story celebrates the raw beauty of unretouched skin, embracing imperfections as a testament to authenticity and honesty in makeup artistry.

Let's build a sandcastle

Sand mining, once a symbol of time and nature's intricate work, has transformed into a stark reminder of humanity's unchecked greed. Through the lens of Jakub Stanek's photography, the relentless exploitation of this natural resource confronts us with the harsh reality of irreversible consequences. It's time to reconsider our priorities and strike a balance between human needs and planetary protection.

Nothing to See Here

Ben Zank, a native of New York City, discovered his passion for photography at the age of 18 when he stumbled upon a Pentax ME Super in his grandmother's attic. Using his self-portraits as a means to express emotions where words fall short, Zank is poised to unveil his debut photo book, showcasing his distinct artistic vision.

Queer the dancefloor

Over the past two decades, Northern Irish DJ CORMAC has steadily built a reputation as one of queer clubland’s most enduring and vital figures. Following the launch of his own imprint Polari Records, he’s recently released ‘Queerly Beloved’ – an essential new podcast series featuring always frank and often funny conversations exploring queerness, identity and music with an impressive line-up of fascinating guests.

Me Entro El Garrion (I got the Sparrow)

Photographer and filmmaker Lorna Carmichael travelled to Cuba to document the impacts of the enduring US embargo. Upon her arrival, she discovered that local Cubans also yearn for a bygone era, prompting her to create the photo story 'I got a sparrow' to encapsulate these sentiments.

Don’t sleep on Henry Rowley

Scroll through your ‘For You’ page for long enough and you’ll likely come across Henry Rowley (if you’re not already one of his 1.3 million followers), where the Leicester-born comedian posts his distinct sketches, impressions, and parodies, making fun of everything from Harry Potter to the Soho House wait staff. This year, however, Henry is bringing his first solo hour-long comedy show to the Edinburgh Fringe and to the stage in London. We get to know the man behind the internet’s favourite characters it loves to hate.

Black Eyed Dog

A photographic healing process

A tangle of thoughts and emotions I can’t untangle.Confused and lost in a labyrinth of half-formed plans and ideas. Enough. Stop.I need to get out of here right now.Need space. Need to breathe.

Raw roar.It carries all of my deepest troubles into the wind and crashing sea. It’s not enough.This feels weird, I feel weird.Is this a breakdown, is this what one feels like?

﻿A black eyed dog he called at my door A black eyed dog he called for more A black eyed dog knew my name...

﻿Nick Drakes haunting song going around and around in my head. I feel this has been travelling towards me for a while now and finally found me, it knew my name and today it came knocking.

My being feels torn. Snagged on the barbs of this instant, digital life. Glitching.‘Have you tried restarting?’ they say. That usually fixes things...Or so we’re told.

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It must be built from ashes

A tangle of thoughts and emotions I can’t untangle.
Confused and lost in a labyrinth of half-formed plans and ideas.
Enough. Stop.
I need to get out of here right now.
Need space. Need to breathe.

Raw roar.
It carries all of my deepest troubles into the wind and crashing sea.
It’s not enough.
This feels weird, I feel weird.
Is this a breakdown, is this what one feels like?

A black eyed dog he called at my door
A black eyed dog he called for more
A black eyed dog knew my name...

Nick Drakes haunting song going around and around in my head. I feel this has been travelling towards me for a while now and finally found me, it knew my name and today it came knocking.

My being feels torn.
Snagged on the barbs of this instant, digital life.
Glitching.
‘Have you tried restarting?’ they say.
That usually fixes things...
Or so we’re told.