Hi everybody,

I posted earlier this year about a photography project about CH, I also sent out some e-mails and got some positive answers from the clusterheads of NYC. I've been working on it along with my classes and it's been going a bit like I anticipated... slow, but that's how it goes. I'm making plans to go to the conference in Chicago next September and would like to speak to as many clusterheads as possible about their story and situation.

Recently I've been leaning more and more about how I want to present the project as a reminder to society that this condition is terrible and can completely change a persons life and everyone around them as well.

Initially I was hoping to create personal portraits of clusterheads in their home environment, whatever that might be. But to really make a point I think the images have to be a lot sharper and more hard hitting.

In my opinion there's nothing more hard hitting, at least to myself then when I'm having the worst headache of my cycle and I look at myself in the mirror... left eye all red with tears flooding down my cheek, hair all over the place and scratchmarks around my temple. It's a truly sad moment to look at yourself in the mirror at that time.

That's what has to be portrayed for the broader audience to realize what CH is really is, that it's more than that migraine your aunt gets every once in a while.

So my question is:
Would you mind being photographed while having a CH?

Kind regards and stay pain free :)

Kari Bjorn Thorleifsson

Would it better show the contrast if you had a picture of the person mid-CH and when they are not having a CH?

YouTube has a lot of different videos of cluster heads you should look there

Mark

Kari, you may count me in if you wish.  I live in the Chicago area, so we could do it at the conference, or if you wanted to come to the house we could try something there.  PM me if you want contact info.

Jerry

Thanks for your replies :)

I will take pictures of those who are willing to participate while their not having a CH and compare them later printed if it has more affect to have that comparison or not. At this point I think it's not going to add much to the overall affect. I'm hoping to get 8-12 pictures and while having 16-24 with added "normal" portraits is not too many I think it might soften the look of the whole series. It has to be rough, sad and make an instant statement and as I said I'm not sure adding more "normal" images will add to that. But thank you very much :)

Thanks Callico, I will be in touch :) :) thank you thank you

Yes I've seen many of the youtube videos and some of the selfmade documentaries as well and they're a great source of information and "inspiration" (not sure of inspiration can be applied to CH but...)

The comparative pictures is a great idea!  But I live alone, and can't trust myself to operate a complex machine during an attack.  Maybe my coworker could do it...

It's just unreal how misguided people are about the pain.  Everybody just says, "It's just a headache.  What's the big deal?  Those people on Youtube are just being dramatic."  That's when you wish you could hook your doctor up to something where they can feel your pain.

Yup, It's this constant misunderstanding that needs to be resolved. People I've gotten to know haven't really taken me too seriously until they've seen me mid-attack. Then they know it's real. In my opinion, that's what has the greatest effect on a non cluster head

Hi again,

This winter was very busy for me and I was only able to meet with 2 great gentlemen who along with me had their first face to face talk about CH. It's truly awesome to finally speak to someone who knows what you're going through and vice versa, great to compare what works and what doesn't.

I wanted to post an update as I plan on working as hard as I can on this project this summer and fall. I'll be in Columbus,OH next week from 26-28th of May and also in Cleveland, OH during mid June. If anybody's interested in a discussion about their side of CH just shoot me an email at: karibjtho@gmail.com

Still planning to go to the convention in Chicago.

I'm still mainly looking to get in touch with courageous cluster heads to take part. I know it's a great deal to even ask.

Here's my website: START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

And a link to a self-portrait I made some 2-3 years ago when starting to research connecting CH with photography:
START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Stay pain free :)

Kari Bjorn Thorleifsson

I'd go with black and white for the attack shots. Minimal background, maximum contrast.

the only thing one is thinkin about during a cluster is how when why where HOW to stop it.At Auschwitz the train doors opened.