The beginning

My name is Bill Truran and I will be 60 years old in 6 months. I have been an adjunct photography professor for William Paterson University since 2004. I began working on my MFA because you need that to be hired for real by the university. I have been a commercial photographer since 1972 and fully digital since 1994 so I have to admit I hoped I could kind-of skate by but my advisor Mauro Altamura had other ideas. Here is how it is going:
I began almost on my own. I let Mauro know that I wanted to focus on my ADD and the way it affected my life and work. I did what I normally do and produced 5 images that in a quirky kind-of way showed what living with ADD is like.

#1) Shows how difficult it is for one with ADD to read. We read the first paragraph, then re-read, then re-re-read. Then we move on to the next and instantly forget the paragraph before...

                                    

#2) Explains why people with ADD J-walk. If we stand with others on a corner waiting for the light to change, we will cross without thought and probably be hit by a bicycle. If we cross in the middle of the street while the traffic is moving we are fully focused knowing that we just might die. It really helps us be alert when crossing a city street.

                                      

3) Salt & Pepper... This seems to work two ways. First, when you can't remember anything as you grow up you tend to separate yourself from the group for protection. When grown, this separation morphs into leadership positions where the separation kind of raises you up and over. People with ADD make natural leaders.

                                      

4) Was fun and straight forward. People with ADD always fight the wall of forgetfulness that separates us from the rest of the world. 

5) Was the last in this initial series. It seems to be the least subtile. This is what it is often like to converse with someone with ADD. We aren't ignoring you on purpose but in desperately trying to hold onto our response we often can't hear what you are saying even though we are looking at you.

So there you go. 5 shots involving huge productions and Mauro says to me: Great work but they look like advertisements for ADD medication. Where is the heart?

What? Doesn't he realize that I don't ever access my emotions? Doesn't he know that I never consider my feelings? Hummm, I think he does and that is where the fun and work really started.