The difference between simply existing and living is the impact that is left behind. Whether it is helping one person or making a huge change to a community, you have truly lived when you leave a legacy behind.

My mind first went to protesting when exploring this concept. Protests can make huge changes in both society and government, by participating in one, you are part of that change. It takes bravery and passion to participate in a protest, you are expressing your opinions no matter how controversial they may be. You are taking the risk of getting hurt or even arrested in order to stand up for what you believe in rather than being silent.

My idea was to do a diptych, where one photo portrayed living and one portrayed existing. Instead I decided it would be much more interesting and challenging to portray both words in one photo. To do so, I included both people protesting and making a change, and someone watching from behind a television screen, keeping their opinions to themselves.

I had a photo of a protest on the television screen, showing people living. I then had a character sitting in a lounge chair, feet up, beer in hand, watching the protest. In his other hand I had a protest sign, in order to show he agreed with the protesters, but is too cowardly to participate and help out.

This photo expresses the importance of standing up for what you believe in, it is weak to keep your ideas and opinions to yourself in a time where they are needed. There is power in numbers when it comes to making a change and that is why every person’s opinion matters.