Photographer Creates Emotive Images to Help Cope with Depression

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What does severe depression look like in photographs? The work of photographer Christian Hopkins may offer a clue. The 20-year-old photographer has been battling Major Depression (AKA clinical depression) for the past four years, and many of his photographs are a reflection of the dark thoughts and feelings swirling around in his mind.

Hopkins is currently registered as a freshman studying biochemistry in college, but has been taking a medical leave of absence in order to deal with his depression.

One year into his struggles, Hopkins picked up camera in order to use photography as a way to cope. He has been doing photography on and off since then.

“I was never all that good with words. That why I take pictures,” he tells us.

Hopkins has never taken a photography class in his life, and his photographs are simply a medium through which he can express himself. “This is just a hobby. A camera, a body, and a mind. Nothing else,” he says.

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mask

bed

glass

sands

moon

tub

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gripped

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float

neck

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wings

flower

Many of his photographs were once shared online through his Flickr account, Capt. Truffles. After a severe bout with depression recently, he wiped his account and took his photographs offline. Some of the shots continue to float around on the web, through various website and through social media.

Hopkins says he’s fine with remnants of his work existing, since they may help someone going through similar struggles: “If anything, I hope I helped someone with my photography. They’re me. Perhaps they are you as well. Maybe they’re neither. Maybe they’re we.”


Image credits: Photographs by Christian Hopkins and used with permission

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