How to spot a serial killer
Jul 13, 2022 12:59:08 #
As an avid viewer of photographs on Flickr daily I find the styles of some photographers to be interesting, and maybe at times a little disturbing. There are those who always seem to post photos that are dark, gloomy, and often further enhanced in editing making them even more gloomy. Whereas, you have the antithesis, who's photos are always bright, light, colorful and cheerful...does this reveal something about their personalities? Although the title was meant as a hook, and the fact that you are reading it proves that it worked, can some conclusions be drawn by looking at people's photographs? I've read in the past that many serial killers seem to share certain childhood traits. Many enjoyed hurting and torturing small animals and insects, many liked starting fires, and many of them were bedwetters. I thought this could make for an interesting subject, so, any shrinks, or pseudo shrinks out there care to join into the conversation?
Jul 13, 2022 13:09:35 #
Yeah, your title was a definite, and probably disingenuous, hook.
The manner in which a person photographs a scene, bright or dark, is simply a personalized style for expression. It might be a good idea to research how many serious amateur or professional photographers became serial killers. The answer is probably very few if any at all. I know of a few photographers whose subject matter is probably bordering on distasteful or strange but, at the same time, they are not serial killers. They are more involved in their art.
--Bob
The manner in which a person photographs a scene, bright or dark, is simply a personalized style for expression. It might be a good idea to research how many serious amateur or professional photographers became serial killers. The answer is probably very few if any at all. I know of a few photographers whose subject matter is probably bordering on distasteful or strange but, at the same time, they are not serial killers. They are more involved in their art.
--Bob
autofocus wrote:
As an avid viewer of photographs on Flickr daily I... (show quote)
Jul 13, 2022 13:14:23 #
autofocus wrote:
As an avid viewer of photographs on Flickr daily I... (show quote)
I don’t think any conclusions can be drawn, at least not by non-professionals who are not familiar with the backstory.
Jul 13, 2022 13:16:10 #
What you choose to dwell on does say something about you, but it might be a bit hasty to start labelling people as psychopathic just because what they dwell on is a bit dark or morose or whatever.
Since you raised the subject, it's not a good idea to dwell on darkness and other depressing aspects of our lives. As in the Native American story about the two wolves that battle within us, the one that wins is the one that we feed the most.
Since you raised the subject, it's not a good idea to dwell on darkness and other depressing aspects of our lives. As in the Native American story about the two wolves that battle within us, the one that wins is the one that we feed the most.
Jul 13, 2022 13:29:32 #
Well, I know that simple stick figure artwork, doodles, and graphology is often used in psychological evaluations and examinations, and wondered if photos by the subjects would also be revealing. And, as I said, the title was meant to be a hook, and I surely know that "dark photos" does not indicate a serial killer trait. However, I did think it could be an interesting subject for discussion, and I'm not dwelling on it.
Jul 13, 2022 13:32:47 #
"...the two wolves..." Excellent example, R.G.
--Bob
--Bob
R.G. wrote:
What you choose to dwell on does say something about you, but it might be a bit hasty to start labelling people as psychopathic just because what they dwell on is a bit dark or morose or whatever.
Since you raised the subject, it's not a good idea to dwell on darkness and other depressing aspects of our lives. As in the Native American story about the two wolves that battle within us, the one that wins is the one that we feed the most.
Since you raised the subject, it's not a good idea to dwell on darkness and other depressing aspects of our lives. As in the Native American story about the two wolves that battle within us, the one that wins is the one that we feed the most.
Jul 13, 2022 13:41:39 #
Stick figures, doodles, and graphology originate in the mind of the creator and may have some validity in evaluations. Photographs exist outside the creator and are captured to the creator's vision. Not necessarily the same thing.
Staged photographs or drawings are also used in psychological evaluations. Staged is the operative word here. Again, what a person creates, (drawing/painting) is quite different than what one captures from reality. One can also stage photographs, as in the case of, at least, one photographer whose work I'm familiar with. Again, these are photographers pursuing their art.
--Bob
Staged photographs or drawings are also used in psychological evaluations. Staged is the operative word here. Again, what a person creates, (drawing/painting) is quite different than what one captures from reality. One can also stage photographs, as in the case of, at least, one photographer whose work I'm familiar with. Again, these are photographers pursuing their art.
--Bob
autofocus wrote:
Well, I know that simple stick figure artwork, doodles, and graphology is often used in psychological evaluations and examinations, and wondered if photos by the subjects would also be revealing. And, as I said, the title was meant to be a hook, and I surely know that "dark photos" does not indicate a serial killer trait. However, I did think it could be an interesting subject for discussion.
Jul 13, 2022 14:12:44 #
rmalarz wrote:
Stick figures, doodles, and graphology originate i... (show quote)
Sounds like you've been trained in this Bob, true?
Jul 13, 2022 14:15:56 #
A good possibility.
--Bob
--Bob
autofocus wrote:
Sounds like you've been trained in this Bob, true?
Jul 13, 2022 14:34:16 #
rmalarz wrote:
A good possibility.
--Bob
--Bob
Can we agree that many view their photography as art, and that their art can be viewed as an extension of their personality? And like many artists who paint, sketch, draw, etc., can we agree that their style of work tends to reveal something about their personality, or their states of mind at the time?
Jul 13, 2022 14:46:06 #
We can certainly agree. However, we also need to agree that we are looking at the same subject from two different points of view.
--Bob
--Bob
autofocus wrote:
Can we agree that many view their photography as art, and that their art can be viewed as an extension of their personality? And like many artists who paint, sketch, draw, etc., can we agree that their style of work tends to reveal something about their personality, or their states of mind at the time?
Jul 13, 2022 15:08:20 #
autofocus wrote:
As an avid viewer of photographs on Flickr daily I... (show quote)
It is a fascinating topic, IMO. And I think a valid question. I have not heard of photographers who are so dark that they commit mass crimes, targeted violence, but certainly people use poetry and images that do foster violence. The shooter at Virginia Tech is but one example. And, with Photoshop, there are a host of sickos who manipulate photos to child erotica.
Animal torture, fires, ideations of violence are all possible pointers of violence.
I can also say that I am very involved in reduction of school violence...currently a few bills pending in California which I was somewhat involved in. Wrote a thesis on it, developed active shooter protocols in a very large agency,. trained, etc. The idea now is to prevent mass violence with early mental health intervention.
It is far too detailed a discussion for this little forum, but I would agree that if some images show torture, killing of animals, arson, certain types of hate or other indicators of mental illness it is only a pointer to look deeper.
Jul 13, 2022 16:39:51 #
rmalarz wrote:
We can certainly agree. However, we also need to agree that we are looking at the same subject from two different points of view.
--Bob
--Bob
My point of view is strictly an interest in psychology, although I've never had formal training other than an Intro to Psych in college, but I find what makes people "tick" or motivates them to do the things they do always interesting. Years ago, I had done some extensive research on graphology, and was amazed by how much handwriting can reveal about a person. Things like suicide traits, written testimonies showing lies, emotions, depression, the severe tilt in a letter can show some evil sides of people, the author referred to it as "the maniac d" that showed extreme and maybe dangerous emotion, all very interesting.
Jul 13, 2022 16:46:20 #
Hip Coyote wrote:
It is a fascinating topic, IMO. And I think a val... (show quote)
My daughter is a teacher, third grade in particular, and she had a boy student this year that was always a problem in class, and a problem with the other kids too. When asked what the kids wanted to be when they grow up, and kind of a normal question to ask a child, this one boy said he wanted to be an executioner! Now, what 8 year old would be expected to say something like that. My feelings are that this is a kid, for whatever the reasoning he said that, is a kid that needs to be watched...but will he be is the question.
Jul 13, 2022 17:29:20 #
I would suggest you read about Joel-Peter Witkin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel-Peter_Witkin
Then, look at his photographs. He's a lifelong photographer and, though possibly disturbed, has never hurt anyone.
If your theory is that one can ascertain mentally ill homicidal people through their photographs, Joel-Peter is an outlier. However, I would submit that those photographers, and even painters, check out his Joel-Peter's brother Jerome, may produce some very disturbing works of art, they are not inclined to be serial killers.
Perhaps those people work through their issues using photons or paint and thus find no need to create havoc with fellow humans.
--Bob
Then, look at his photographs. He's a lifelong photographer and, though possibly disturbed, has never hurt anyone.
If your theory is that one can ascertain mentally ill homicidal people through their photographs, Joel-Peter is an outlier. However, I would submit that those photographers, and even painters, check out his Joel-Peter's brother Jerome, may produce some very disturbing works of art, they are not inclined to be serial killers.
Perhaps those people work through their issues using photons or paint and thus find no need to create havoc with fellow humans.
--Bob
autofocus wrote:
My point of view is strictly an interest in psycho... (show quote)
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