Self Portrait - 8 Years Clean! by AMERICANVIRUS
View It Larger Here.
Wow!! This has been truly an amazing 8 years! There's no way I could have survived this long sober without the blessing of my friends and family putting up with me, and providing me with heaps of love and encouragement all along the way.
This shot is very similar to the self portrait I posted to my blog this same day last year (Click Here To See), only at that time I had just bought my camera and didn't know the first thing about how to use it. I knew nothing about white balance, shutter speed, aperture... I just set the thing on automatic mode. Basically, it was like having a very expensive point and shoot. I also knew absolutely nothing about Photoshop. This year has been such a great experience learning more about how to capture and process images. Also, I feel so privileged to have made so many new friends on line this year who have taken an interest in my photography as I'm learning.
When I first began using drugs I was an artist and musician who liked to shoot up. It wasn't long before I was that guy who used to do art and play music. It's interesting, I was a junky for about 7 years, and then a year ago, just after another 7 years sobriety, I took up art again with photography. It's almost like I needed the same amount of time sober as I spent using just to be able to process, to be able to be creative again. I feel like I'm only just now beginning to know what it's like to be sober and a creative person. Anyway, thanks to those of you who have been leaving comments on my photos here, as well as on my blog and Flickr. It's been so encouraging to get feedback from all of you as I'm learning. Being creative again feels like I've been given back a gift. I know now not to take it for granted.
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