Insomnia
By Nova Lamela
3 July 2007
Unfortunately I suffer from a severe case of insomnia. I've had it for about close to two years now brought on by stress resulted from work, domestic duties, and whether I'm able to afford this month's rent. Previously I spent my sleepless nights vegging out in front of the television with nothing but the remote control in my hand with a side of drool most likely caused by the millions of brain cells squandered away from wasting countless nights watching old reruns on Nick at Night. But then one day it came to me, what if I use all this spare time doing something a little more productive. Therefore my times of insomnia have resulted towards my more productive photo shoots which are of course self portraits, since who in their right mind will be at my door step all dolled up at three o'clock in the morning. With that in mind and my family spending their time soundly in a lucid dream my home becomes my entire studio; my camera, one desk lamp and myself as props. These photos tell a story in themselves a struggle to find my way into a subconscious slumber. The finished effect of each photo is a result of a black background, a desk lamp like I mentioned previously and a 30 second shutter setting.
I was a little skeptical as to how my approach would actually capture this form of expression. But after two sleepless hours in my birthday suit in front of my Canon 30D I was pleasantly surprised with the ending result.
If you come to think of it insomnia isn't such a bad thing. Haven't we all at some point in time wished for longer days, time is too short. Well this is my advice, use those sleepless nights to your advantage. Sleeping pills may not always be the answer. Turn off the boob tube; unplug your internet because this is the time you've been waiting for to be creative whether it is taking pictures of shadows, painting nude portraits of yourself, or writing in that all exclusive diary you have neglected for far too long.
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