I am obsessed with photography. I know that sounds like
hyperbole or exaggeration. It’s not. I think about it, read about it, take
private lessons for it, watch videos about it. Can’t get enough of it. The
intensity grows in relation to the length of time I have had Parkinson’s disease. And I found that I can use this passion as a tool to help me ignore
the inconvenience of my least favorite disease. Read on for more about how my
photography is closely related to my PD.
On my last visit to my doctor, (done every 90 days) while he
was explaining my case history to an intern visiting that day, I told them
about my theory that my photography took a major leap in quality around the
time Parkinson’s decided to pay me a
permanent visit. I was wondering if he has seen any other evidence of artistic or
creative abilities improving with PD. He was indirect in saying that he felt
that some Parkinson’s drugs could cause some brain stimulation that could have
that effect. PD drugs are all focused on
making the brain produce, stimulate or retain neurons that help transmit nerve
signals to the body. A sensory neuron is an electrically charged cell in the
brain that receives, processes and transmits signals such as visual images
of light, color interpretation and other
optical messages to other parts of the brain. Could it be that for some people
PD drugs create a higher level of visual stimulation and the result is more creativity
as manifested in photography? Some days it seems that I have a camera in my
head that is composing everything I see into imaginary photos. Don’t worry
about this. It’s a valuable tool to stare down PD with. It makes me feel better
and forget about Parkinson’s altogether.
PD drugs as a recreational visual arts drug? No. I also doubt
anyone would look forward to the possibility of contracting Parkinson’s disease
on the oft chance that they could improve their photography. Ha! On the other
hand, if you already have PD and you notice that you are producing better
quality photos, you can thank me for pointing this out.
Oh, one more thing. It might or might not be a coincidence
that I bought a new camera around the time we introduced my body to a new brain
drug. It doesn’t matter. I just prefer the entirely plausible story that my PD
drugs made me a better photographer. Sort of like the question at the end of
the book, Life of Pi. Which story do you want to believe?
I believe.
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| Times Square NYC |
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