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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> The Best of CTF Challenges >> Best of 2006 > 5th
Black Dog be Gone*
by Rod
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14-JAN-2006 Rod

5th
Black Dog be Gone*
by Rod

Nut House Brissie Oz

Ole Winston Churchill called his depression "His Black Dog" So with treatment & a New Years resolution who knows:-)

Canon EOS 350D ,Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
1/50s f/5.0 at 38.0mm iso1600 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:19
Hey! You shouldn't be depressed, Rod - look how many comments you've got here ( and I'm not going to read them all :-) I like how you balanced the image with the glasses on the table. a little space over the head and it'd be perfect. BTW, isn't it summer in OZ, not time for "winter blue" ;-)
/Oved
ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:19
Rod, :)

This shot reveals something that everyone can relate to. For me, yes I have had my bouts of depression too so I can definitely wish the black dog be gone. I think besides medicine, it helps to have a family/friends that supports you 100% plus no matter what. I have my hubby and family - plus my passion for photography that keeps me going. God bless you Rod ;)
-sue anne rush
ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:19
when i decided the topic, i was expecting something 'funny'...but this image was a pleasant surprize. apart from your head touching the top-frame, i like this image. -Abstract
ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:19
Rod, I first saw this shot when it had first been uploaded here and before you had even attached your name, title, etc. Somehow, I knew it was yours even though it's so different from your usual style. I can only say that I'm glad you've decided to rejoin us and sorry for what you're going through. I'm a firm believer that "naming the demon," whatever it may be, takes away some of its power over us, and you have done that here. Thank you for being so honest about yourself, just as you have been in your responses to everyone's photos. Take care of yourself...and never underestimate the wonderful healing power of taking photographs.
--Mary Anne
ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:18
Hello Rod, I am glad you are participating in this forum. This shot is really telling and well done. Depression makes us feel like the whole world is full of light except for us! This is well reflected in your shot. It is also a very mis-understood condition, dangerously so.... Glad you are on the mend with only occasional dips. Very artisitic shot. Yvonne
ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:18
Thanks Jano:-) It's funny one of the worst things Mereana could say to me before she understood the condition was cheer up:-)hehe
But it has no effect on me seeing it written here, so please don't worry about watching wot you say to me.
Do you also luv obnoxious Aussies?:-)

-Rod
ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:18
Nice sihouette Rod and I'll join in with the thanks for sharing this image and your soul with us. Cheer up mate! I love aussies :) jano
ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:18
Thanks Ann, I've found the biggest help is the understanding of others when trying to manage this condition, so I believe you are really helping your husband with your insight. My daughter Holly has Bi poler I just have the normal variety so Holly & me blame the bi poler on Mereana's genes:-)hehe.
It seems to be passed on in the genes so I'm very pleased you missed out. Both Holly & me are not in the severe category & she is on more heavy duty drugs than I am. I usually go for a year or so & then try going drug free & funny enough feel really good after just ceasing. But gradually after about 6 months or so I'm back on some medication. Holly's depression wasn't recognised until about 8 years into her eating disorder (Bulimia) so the doctors aren’t sure whether the depression was there to help kick start the Bulimia or the Bulimia kick-started the depression. She is an amazing girl how she has battled on & has the Bulimia under control now.....
.....Yippeeee:-)

-Rod
ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:18
Thank you Rod for this image. It adds a whole new dimension to what we know about you. I know many people who share your tendency to depression including my husband, two best friends and my mother. Mom and one friend were bi-polar which is a whole other bag of worms as they shifted from up to down and back again. My mom did this within a short space of time while my friend had the more traditional variety with long periods in each state. It is no fun to experience or to watch and live with. I am lucky that I didn't inherit this but I do understand. Meds really do help so I hope you have found some that work well for you. Ann C
ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:18
To the artiiiiiiist formally known as ArminB:-) Yes soul mates indeed, there's a bond that's for sure as we do understand as most others do not. The constant battles make you weak & strong ....................................strange init:-)
-Rod
ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:18
I'm not cured at all, yet, by any means - but sensitive people such as you always carry the burden of 'heavy thoughts' - I cannot forget my grandpa, waking up at night crying in mental pain... which I started to do as well, lately.

So this picture is more to me than a thousand words, it is a mirror of my heart - at least sometimes... as are the entries of Tiffany and many of Britt's shots... soul mates, I would guess! As said, do not let these thought dominate you!

Armin...formerly known as ArminB ;o)
ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:18
Thanks Brent mate I've been fairly level for a few years now with some occasional dips into that place. I'm hanging in there for sure & hope you're a bit less busy soon so you can get some shots in. Thanks again:-)

-Rod
ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:17
Well done image Rod. I have suffered from the "Black Dog" enough myself in the past to know it is very difficult. I hope this and all coming years can be black dog free for you. Hang in there friend.
-Brent
ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:17
Bless you Armin, it's a shame to see such a fine person leave, but you're doing the right thing I know it. See ya mate:-)
-Rod
ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:17
Very Churchill like - and I really do hope that dark moods are not too prominent! I will really miss this :) Take care my friend! Cheers, Armin
ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:17
Thanks Britt & Alexeig:-) Alex can you pick a type of person that is a typical depression sufferer. I've met some very unlikely types, genes are not always recognisable…………………..are they?
-Rod
ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:17
You and antidepression treatment??? You are about the last person I expected to be depressed. A clever and very expressive image btw. * maybe, just a tad more space from above?
-alexeig
ctfchallenge20-Jan-2006 01:17
This is very nice and the thing I really like about it is you stretching your imagination to shoot something so personal. Very nice, Rod. :) ~Britt