Sony RX1, 35mm f2 Carl Zeiss
ISO100, f/18, 1/125, raw
200W strobe on boom, over subject’s head, 60×60 soft-box
It was in March 2009 when I suddenly realized that I had to take on the responsibility to be what I was. After years fighting my nature with great success, I eventually found myself tired to be living another person’s life. Sure I had got my master degree in Biomedical Engineering, and I was close to getting my PhD too, plus my curriculum was excellent. My career was pretty much running in the right direction, if I just wanted to be a scientist for life.
But the thing is, I was Batman. I mean, I could put on my Bruce Wayne mask every day and go to work, design and perform experiments, write scientific articles, submit research projects for new grants, even teach classes. But every now and then I had to put off the mask, and be the batman for a while. And, fact is, those were the happiest moments in my life. So, it took quite a while, but eventually (and very recently) I decided to never wear Bruce Wayne’s mask anymore, and dare to be what I was. What am I? My batman doesn’t bash criminals’ heads, he’s more into taking photographs and writing his thoughts, and he likes to work on his own art. Yet, he is my “dark side”, meaning that he’s the reason why I can’t simply live the “normal” life I’ve worked all this time for. He just makes it impossible.
New strategy: I’ll embrace my batman and see where he brings me.
One of the best entries you’ve written so far – I know exactly how you feel and how stressful it is to wear that ‘normal mask’ on and on.
Your project is coming along great!