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When photographer Adrain Chesser tested positive for HIV and was diagnosed with AIDS, he knew that he had to break the news to his family and friends somehow.
Eventually, he came up with the idea of letting his loved ones know about his condition by inviting them to his studio, one by one, for a simple, intimate photo shoot for an unnamed project.
Unbeknownst to them, Chesser intended to reveal his illness and capture their reactions for a powerful portrait series titled I Have Something to Tell You.
Each image in the collection presents a separate, singular person in Chesser's life reacting to the unfortunate news.
Whether they are creasing their brows, trying to comprehend and soak in the devastating news of their friend's health, clutching their chest in shock and disbelief, or solemnly shedding a tear, each person has a heartfelt, honest reaction.
Chesser says, "I’ve always felt I would do almost anything to know the power of holding a split second in my hands, and look at it as long and as lovingly as I care to, to capture something as elusive as an emotion, and to feel the power of that emotion possess me each time I look at it."
He adds, "While these photos are probably the worst pictures ever taken of my friends, they are undoubtedly the most beautiful."
Warranty
The blonde woman in the blue shirt. Her expression is so raw and real.
Warranty
I want a series of these from someone coming out. Or someone announcing pregnancy.
acidjuicemotel
"I have AIDS!" *flash flash* "Now you're art, bitch!"
visionhairy
You win.
whatshappeninghere
ButIDidntDieThoughItWasAJoke
I wonder how long he waited to take the picture after he told them.
Idonthavealottosay
I was thinking the same thing. Maybe give it a few seconds to sink in.
ILoveMyBowelsButSometimesWhy
*click* yeah sooo...*click* I have somethin to tell you *click* ...I have AIDS *click* okay got it, great thanks.
marymarymistressmary
Step 1: Get AIDS
balkingtowinnie
Step 2: take pics
balkingtowinnie
step 3: PROFIT
shuttlecockinakumquat
Step 1 is HIV
YH59
Step 1 is getting laid.
shuttlecockinakumquat
This is also true.
coolbeanscaleb
It's heartbreaking the emotion you can feel in the eyes of these people
FNHuskys
HIV positive or he has AIDS? Huge difference.
bonnebonnesjonjohn
''When photographer Adrain Chesser tested positive for HIV and was diagnosed with AIDS...'' did you really not read the first sentence?
iLynux
It says tested positive for HIV and diagnosed with AIDS.
MelfsAcidArrow
HIV Stage 3 is AIDS, so ... both?
chaosundivided
http://media.giphy.com/media/jb6IOwMXZjLuE/giphy.gif
RadicalRodney
"Good" -#6
SusanGoGetMyPants
In a way I can just hear her sighing and saying " Well? What did you expect?" Just how I viewed the expression is all.
LowKeyTroll
If I took pictures of all my friends, it would be a selfie.
SirKuroi
This is really incredible and intense.
soupdejour
Plot Twist: He had sex with all of them.
nolanbautista
Definitely w/ #5
robjd2
You are HIV Aladeen
danny87
:D
danny87
D:
varsil
Some of them look like the response is "You asshole, don't take a picture of me".
aguyuno
"Mom, dad... I have AIDS." "WHAT? THAT'S -- Did you seriously just take my picture? What the FUCK, Adrian?"
Eljews
I read your comment and thought "holy shit I don't have aids!" My name is Adrian. My heart skipped a beat haha.
halfgeek
Adrain Chesser...
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halfgeek
Adrain Chesser..
aguyuno
...Cause his name is Adrian? lol
rooble
*heavy breathing*
ChefG0ldblum
"I have AIDS. SAY CHEEEESE!"
Dqvist
Pic #6 '' Well there you have it, I told you to bring condoms to Africa... ''
CommonWhiteGirl
Now this, this is art.
balkingtowinnie
just like reality tv my son, just like reality tv. Reality tv is the last true art of this generation. I weep for future generations
imadogperson
Can I just say, in general, that I'm amazed to be able to be able to disagree with the topic of a post and not be downvoted 1/2
Canyouteachmehowtodougie
As a common white girl, I agree.
imadogperson
do this. What's art if everyone can do it? 2/2
Flutterfinn
Yes you could do it, but you didn't. Art is expression not 'I did something no one else could.'
imadogperson
to hell? Some seriously mature people around here right now. 2/2
imadogperson
It seems that's ending and the usual people are getting here xD
imadogperson
Yep, they're here
imadogperson
They're even doing the "downvote all his recent posts, that will show them" thing
BalmDeBono
It reminds me this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMWU8dEKwXw yes it's almost 4 minutes lons for it's worth the watch, seriously.
PiTeuR
I really liked this. Thank you!
BalmDeBono
long* but* (WTF fingers !!!)
gourami
@CommonWhiteGirl is on a roll.
imadogperson
@CommonWhiteGirl this was what I meant the other day.
CommonWhiteGirl
...What was the other day?
imadogperson
The strange comments thing. You have terrible memory.
CommonWhiteGirl
I am not an elephant
gourami
CommonWhiteGirl
I like this
imadogperson
I know we're supposed to like this because "feels" and etc, but this is art? Why? I could do this. You could 1/2
CommonWhiteGirl
Art that can evoke emotion is a success. It's harder than people think.
imadogperson
But you literally could do this. I can commend him for his idea, but that's it. Just my opinion, worth what it worths.
NoSenseNoSense
The art is at least as much in the concept as it is in the execution.Sure, you can copy the concept. But it loses the power of immediacy.
NoSenseNoSense
I can repaint the Mona Lisa too, given enough time. But it would merely be a reproduction.
AnotherImgurianEnglishman
Art has nothing to do with skill or talent, art is any and all creative expression, whatever medium. Some art is powerful, some is shit. (1)
AnotherImgurianEnglishman
I'm tired of people thinking the word "art" is a positive word, it isn't, art doesn't *have* to be skilful or moving. (2)
AnotherImgurianEnglishman
Art doesn't have to be anything. Arguing that something "is not art" because it doesn't reach your standards is pointless.
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AnotherImgurianEnglishman
Doesn't matter, that doesn't mean it isn't art. See my further comments.
imadogperson
So, if I redo it now, it's still art?
AnotherImgurianEnglishman
"Is this art? I could do this"... But you didn't.
imadogperson
I wouldn't photograph my loved ones when I communicate something to them that would break their hearths. But I could.
AnotherImgurianEnglishman
So?
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NoSenseNoSense
I'm curious as to each of these people are in relation to the photographer.
isutrevman
Agreed. I'm not saying its BS, but that is an interesting looking group of people to be just family and friends.
mrpatrickcorr
Maybe they're all complete strangers and they're just really creeped out
thehappiestpersononimgur
I'm going to take a wild guess that the third picture is his mom..just look at her eyes!
BatMidget
I would say fourth. She's obviously been crying.
84Rands
What a powerful piece of art!
unappropriate
What an ass
ieatbabiesforbreakfast
why?
Pillock
This man is a true artist. The kind of dedication to his craft that he can put such devastating news towards something constructive... wow.
summrah
wow...i was really surprised by so many of the comments here. not the kind of heart i've known imgurians to show in the past...
thewildplum
Fantastic. Creating something beautiful out of the ugly truth.
FembotEulogy
The guy without the shirt is the most powerful.
aschul10
This is heartbreaking.
Inchpunch
Well now I feel silly about turning up topless
ChelBel
I cannot stop laughing at this!
backwardsmanthebackwardsman
fucking classic
asdfghjklx
This needs to be top comment
danielsdesk
this has much better execution than the current top comment and it looks like they were posted same time
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Lasmodoe
You don't know that.
jeryjesuitical
This is fantastic.
WhoTookRizzleFoShizzle
It's tragically beautiful how you can almost tell what they're thoughts or next words are. A picture definitely speaks a thousand words.
evenation
my parents are both hiv+, and they are the last people youd ever think to catch it. although i cried, this album is beautiful in a sad way
MisterPants
Pic #6. "That's nice, dear..."
IstoppedlikingmyusernameSoIchangedIt
Pic # 8 Am too drunk to comprehend this...
TennesseeKid
Great, now I have to scroll back up again.
cybes
I think that's more a "I didn't hear you right - could you say that again?" look.
contemplativeobserver
It would depend on the timing from when he told them to when he shot the image. And each persons thought process.
Inchpunch
"...I have an HTC but I'm really not savvy with all these new gizmos"
shaboozle
This comment deserves so many more points.
dragonknight337
This... haha, it is just so simple, yet hilarious
InnocentValley
I actually find that one the most powerful. Her expression literally changed as I looked at the picture. It's the saddest of them all to me.
TheLadyNym
As someone who unfortunately & uncomfortably laughs when I hear devastating news, I totally get her expression.
TinyPolarBear
I laughed in my dad's funeral. I was young and didn't really know what was going on.
UpvotesForCalicos
I'm one of those "Well they make great drugs these days, you'll probably live longer than me!" with a smile type of people.
ZuluQueenOfTheDwarfPeople
I'm so glad I'm not the only one with this reaction.
TobleroneDoesntStrikeBack
*I'M NOT ALONE!* That's such an uncontrollable stress reaction.
CephalopodsLie
I read an article about how it really is uncontrollable. Something to do with how you manage stress & the tension created by facial muscles
TheLadyNym
It's horrible. My worst 2 were when I heard about 9/11 and the first time I saw my friend have a seizure...
UpvotesForCalicos
My step-mom laughs hysterically. My dad electrocuted himself on our fuse box & I thought she was going to laugh to death.
iMayOrMayNotBeOprah
I can't help but smile when overwhelmed with stress, it feels really counter-intuitive
Moghul
I feel like she was just stunned. I imagine her sitting with that expression for a good 2 seconds before she says "WHAT?!"
usai
brocoly
Good guy right here!
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Flyndaran
Or thought he was making a very bad joke.
HighlySmileyJade
#4 too
MermaidLamby
Dude number 4 is crying..
WatsonToYa
I get this, but it's a little weird, inviting your friends to a studio and taking pictures as you reveal you have AIDS
ArcticEwok
"Mom, I have AIDS.......that's great! Hold that expression. The camera loves you! Now give me sassy!"
Imelza
For art! (probably not for science)
ireya
"I have HIV" *friend starts sobbing* "yeah that is good hold it right there this is some good material"
elephantasybro
GOLD! PURE GOLD! *motions to keep filming*
openyourwindowsheathcliff
But we know, and so did the sitters, that it was going to be some sort of an intimate shoot. Nothing wrong with capturing pure, raw emotion.
younotbigshit
Better than right after the nut.
imawizardlol
No, it's totally awesome and unique and artistic and awesome and Flickr-worthy.
balkingtowinnie
it feels exploitative, and now these people are going to be internet famous for something so sad. kind of morbid really
ladybuglauren
It is totally weird but in the end worth it and powerful.
Peppermintpatty
A guy that was in residency at my school in 2005 did the same kind of thing but he held a party and brought people down 1 by 1 to his 1/2
Peppermintpatty
Studio in the basement and photographed their reactions. Was very interesting to study artistically and morally. 2/2
lesbianyellowsourfruit
it seems kind of mean...
Kargathia
Photographers tend to err somewhat on the side of "very very weird". compared to combat and wildlife photographers this guy is normal.
TheRarispy
I think I'd have a hard time believing that he was telling the truth about it.
Morella
I'd feel so uncomfortable knowing that I was captured mid-heartbreaking moment and then it was shown to the world.
UpvotesForCalicos
"Say cheese! By the way I have AIDS."
Yoshiru
experiential photography at its most self-indulgent... Sorry, is that too pessimistic? I hate photographers.
maxsayo
I agree with you, I'm starting to see more of this lately and its a bit of a turn off. Not all photographers are like this, just the loudest
Yoshiru
Yeah, I hope people don't take me 100% literal when I say "I hate photographers", just this type of photography.
maxsayo
yes, I understand
ArnoldBlinken
he's capturing real, raw emotion. that's what good art does. life is not made up of hallmark poses.
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ArnoldBlinken
reality tv is scripted and edited like crazy. what this guy captured was real and would've still happened even if he hadn't shared them.
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ArnoldBlinken
so art can't be derived from real life?
balkingtowinnie
what do you think reality tv is? Kim Kardashian is the greatest artist of this century......