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

Photographer Chen Chuanduan crafted this fictional documentary, blending elements of fiction and the supernatural. Through AI-generated images and paranormal stories, he conveys both personal and collective trauma. Chen combines text-to-image AI creations with real-world images and his own photography, seamlessly merging reality with imagination.

Capturing the unseen

At East London’s She Lost Control, Aura photography offers a glimpse beyond the visible. Based on Kirlian-inspired photographic techniques, these sessions capture your energy as a radiant Polaroid image—an exquisite reminder that we are more than our digital selves. ZERO.NINE founders Christian Trippe and JC Verona tried this unique experience.

Farm Life

After captivating audiences with Good Dog and The Animal Kingdom, celebrated studio photographer Randal Ford returns with a charming new volume — Farm Life. In his latest book, Ford takes us beyond the barn and into the very heart of America’s vibrant farm animals. This collection of studio portraits celebrates the spirit of these pastoral creatures and invites the viewer on a heartfelt journey of expression, play, and contemplation.

Dreamland: Side of Sea

‘Dreamland: Side of Sea’ is a captivating street photography series by Taras Bychko, showcasing the tranquil charm of English coastal towns in the quiet months before summer, from February to May 2023. Bychko's lens captures serene, almost dreamlike moments in various places like Brighton and Margate, inviting viewers to savour the peaceful solitude before the tourist rush. This reflective series beautifully contrasts everyday life with the timeless allure of the coast.

OF FIRE, FAR SHINING

Asheville-based artist J. A. Young combines their own personal photographs with public-domain archival imagery to explore their reaction to inward experiences. Inspired by a pivotal moment in 2020, the work reflects on existential questions and global crises. Through print manipulation and rephotography, the project creates a fluid, ever-evolving visual narrative that mirrors the artist's shifting perceptions and emotions.

New Moons

Photographer Ada Marino’s powerful series New Moons explores feminine resilience and rebirth against oppressive societal structures. Her work challenges patriarchal norms and advocates for a new, inclusive identity for women, addressing contemporary struggles with a vision of empowerment and transformation.

Souvenirs

Photographer Mike Spears created the zine Souvenirs, a series of irreverent photographic metaphors, romanticising desire, flesh, and comedy. His images reveal the unexpected beauty and humour woven into the fabric of life, inviting you to see the world through a lens that celebrates the quirky and profound.

400 km

Photographer Alberto Tandoi walked 400 km across London capturing fleeting moments with strangers, portraying the city as what would be his ideal city. Through hundreds of portraits, he reveals the beauty of self-expression and the unique stories of unconventional individuals.

Waste Based

Pavel Golovkin’s project "Waste" stands out as a commentary on society's relationship with refuse. Through his lens, Golovkin transforms trash from an overlooked byproduct of human activity into a nomadic entity with its own narrative, continually moving and evolving within urban landscapes.

The Moss-Men (Los Hombres de Musgo)

Our very own JC Verona, photographer and co-founder of ZERO.NINE travelled to his hometown Béjar in Spain to create a series about the unique tradition of local men covering their bodies in moss. Dating back to medieval times, the Moss-Men symbolise a profound connection with nature and highlight the importance of preserving local traditions. We spoke to him in an exclusive interview to find out more about the project that has been on his mind for years.

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.