development of digital stills- artist inspiration- mental health mugshots

i got a lot of inspiration from this source on insane asylum mugshots

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3000407/Portraits-asylum-Harrowing-19th-century-photos-patients-notorious-institution-kept-SHACKLES-visibly-distressed.html

Photographs were taken at West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum by chief neurologist Sir James Crichton-Browne

While some pictures may appear barbaric to modern eyes, they asylum actually led the way in ethical treatment

Each picture is accompanied by detailed medical notes and diagnoses including ‘imbecility,’ and ‘simple mania,’

these photos are very disturbing and are also very emotive. it shows the importance of facial expressions.  these are also very good inspirations on how to show inner brain states via a photo. 

Sir Crichton-Browne also used the security of the asylum to begin his groundbreaking research into mental illness, investigating whether there was a biological cause behind the conditions he help to diagnose. 

He helped to take some of these portraits of patients, meticulously labelled with notes on the patient’s appearance and ailments, and three years later collaborated with Charles Darwin on his book ‘The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals.’

Crichton-Browne pioneered a medical approach to the treatment of mental disorders at West Riding, banning the use of restraints unless necessary, keeping sedation to a minimum, and allowing patients to indulge in leisure activities and take up jobs as part of their healing process.

He also published in-depth journals from his time at West Riding containing observations from himself and his team on mental illness, treatments with various drugs known to affect brain function such as cannabis, nicotine, alcohol, and nitrous oxide. 

Others case files show patients were suffering from general health problems such as symptoms which would be recognised today as post-natal depression.


these photos where use to diagnose people with mental illness. i want to work with the idea that i can show myself through a photo.