Kids of Suburbia- The start of a new project+bts video

JimmyHickey

Here are some images from the start of my new project, "Kids of Suburbia" I realized after deleting the senior superlative gallery on my site...I really had no projects on my site to show consistency in a common theme or idea. So inspired by the Screeching weasel song, "Hey Suburbia" I got this idea. Basically I talked with some friends and friends of friends that live in suburban neighborhoods to take a photo of them in their neighborhood holding something that represents them, or is one of their favorite things... I was surprised to say the least with the results.

Please note:
I do not condone nor did I influence or suggest the use of underage alcohol or tobacco. The reason why I didn't want to influence their decisions on what they did in the shot is because suburbia is so conformist forward...with the same house after house, that I wanted to show how the kids are still unique in their own way...what I found was everyone has been influenced to think just about the same way (To think money, drugs and alcohol are cool). If anything I think them smoking or drinking doesn't really add to the photo from a photographic standpoint at all...but adds to the story line and the whole idea of how suburbia and conformity go hand at hand, even when trying to be unique or different. I am aware that this set might potentially draw some fire...but I am prepared for that and plan to continue the project.

Here is the link to the behind the scenes video-
http://jimmy-hickey.blogspot.com/2010/02/kids-of-suburbia-start-of-new.html

Please let me know what you think! I really enjoy this project and am anxious to shoot more for it.
1) Calvin

2) Danny

3) Michael

4) Zach

5) Shylo

6) Shay

7) Teran

8) Hayden


Thanks for looking!

Prezwoodz

Your photos are wonderful and I really love your idea. The photos themselves make me quite sad. Growing up in Alaska ive always tried to run from suburbia and this only makes me want to more!

adbsgicom

Very interesting series, and a bit depressing (I think the young lady with the gallon bottle of vodka was most depressing). I like how you shot these mid-street to get the housing surrounding them. #3 is my favorite of the group in terms of composition. There is something bothersome yet interesting in #8 with the hobby-horse kid and that massive transmission line tower in the background.

anonymouscuban

Really cool idea. My favorite of the bunch is #3. I was a big time skater/surfer as a kid so it brings back memories. However, technically and from a composition perspective, I also think it's the strongest of the lot.

I'd hate to say or sound archaic but some of those images reinforce my thought that some kids just need a good ass kicking. I got two as a kid growing up and each time they straighten me right up when I was starting to get out of control and thinking that I didn't have to listen to my parents.

l.k.madison

I think it's a great idea. Opens the eyes of the adults that don't think kids are influenced by what's around them. Or the parents that don't care.

It really is awakening to see what "item" represents them. I love the fact that one of them chose the American flag, hopefully of all of them, he has his head on the straightest.

It's sad to look at the stats of our high schoolers who smoke/drink/have sex or whatever 'bored' teenagers do.

I've been home all of an hour for a Senior shoot with one of our youth girls at church I told her to pick somewhere special to her, she chose the church, which isn't a pretty church at ALL, but I commend her for picking that one building above all of the others. It could have been worse, much much worse.

JimmyHickey

Thanks for the comments guys. Happy to see the series is getting some positive reviews, I'm motivated to continue on with the project and bring even stronger stuff to the table:)

In regard to the kids, what I find sad is that the majority of them all chose contraband to be in their photos with them. The fact that they see that as what will make them cool or unique is what saddens me. Not the fact that they drink or smoke, but that when given the opportunity to choose ANYTHING that they want to accompany them in the photo, they chose a half gallon or a cig. The conformity of the kids themselves reflects the neighborhoods they grow up in.

And as far as the ass beatings...most of these kids' parents support their drug or alcohol abuse...again showing the sad reality of the project as a whole.

JimmyHickey

l.k.madison wrote:

I think it's a great idea. Opens the eyes of the adults that don't think kids are influenced by what's around them. Or the parents that don't care.

It really is awakening to see what "item" represents them. I love the fact that one of them chose the American flag, hopefully of all of them, he has his head on the straightest.

It's sad to look at the stats of our high schoolers who smoke/drink/have sex or whatever 'bored' teenagers do.

I've been home all of an hour for a Senior shoot with one of our youth girls at church I told her to pick somewhere special to her, she chose the church, which isn't a pretty church at ALL, but I commend her for picking that one building above all of the others. It could have been worse, much much worse.

Sorry to report but he chose the American flag as a 'funny' or ironic prop, not out of respect for our country. If you see in the video he was treating it without the respect it deserved and I had to tell him to "treat the flag with respect" Some of the other photos that I deleted pretty much as soon as they got on my computer, were of him, the American flag, and some other illegal contraband....


One thing that I think helps me with this project is that I am the same age of most of these kids, or around the same age. And if they don't know me, they know of me through my photo work. I don't think many older photographers out there would be able to capture this real side of Suburbia without having the background and understanding of the subjects, as well as being able to relate to these kids. Interesting side note, I've shot 5 of the 12's seniors portraits...

adbsgicom

You noted that the parents support their drinking and smoking. What is going on there that the parents think that this fine? Is it the theory of keeping them in the 'safe' stuff, so they don't go underground and end up with harder drugs?

JimmyHickey

adbsgicom wrote:

You noted that the parents support their drinking and smoking. What is going on there that the parents think that this fine? Is it the theory of keeping them in the 'safe' stuff, so they don't go underground and end up with harder drugs?

Honestly I'm not really sure what it is. I seem to know a fair amount of parents who have that sort of attitude about their kids behavior. I don't really think its that, atleast for most of them because they still do stuff behind their parents back. I think from personal observation its just that the parents share the same habits as their kids and can relate to their kids' desires. Maybe its a mixture of them both...but honestly I'm not sure, and I know it was weird for me when I went to my first party that had parents playing beer pong with their kids...

anonymouscuban

adbsgicom wrote:

You noted that the parents support their drinking and smoking. What is going on there that the parents think that this fine? Is it the theory of keeping them in the 'safe' stuff, so they don't go underground and end up with harder drugs?

These kids stories maybe different, but there was a lady that used to report to me. She had two teenage boys and she would openly admit to allowing them to throw parties at her home and she would buy the alcohol. The worst part is that the husband is a cop. Her rational was that they are going to do it anyway, so it's better that they do it in a controlled environment where she can keep an eye on them. One day, I got into with her because I told her it was completely irresponsible parenting. That the other parents are probably not aware that alcohol is being provided and they probably assume that it's a safe place since the party is at someone's home where parents are supervising.

Let's face it, kids are going to do things that aren't OK, but that doesn't mean you as a parent should condone it simply because "they're going to do it anyway".

adbsgicom

JimmyHickey wrote:

Honestly I'm not really sure what it is. I seem to know a fair amount of parents who have that sort of attitude about their kids behavior. I don't really think its that, atleast for most of them because they still do stuff behind their parents back. I think from personal observation its just that the parents share the same habits as their kids and can relate to their kids' desires. Maybe its a mixture of them both...but honestly I'm not sure, and I know it was weird for me when I went to my first party that had parents playing beer pong with their kids...

Thanks.

D'Buggs

I like it and have a question; You mention this as being a "project".... What is it that you hope for as a 'net result'?

JimmyHickey

D'Buggs wrote:

I like it and have a question; You mention this as being a "project".... What is it that you hope for as a 'net result'?

A solid set of images in my portfolio with a consistent theme displaying how I am capable of telling a story or representing an entire idea through my photographs. While displaying my own artistic creativity and vision.

D'Buggs

JimmyHickey wrote:

A solid set of images in my portfolio with a consistent theme displaying how I am capable of telling a story or representing an entire idea through my photographs. While displaying my own artistic creativity and vision.

OK.... 1,3 and 4, IMO are SOLID.

#2; The kid lacks interest - If he was having 'fun' wrongly treating the flag, that is what he should've brought to the plate here. He seems to be doing what he's being told instead of what he'd *like* to do.

#5; I crave to see more details in the darks. The ladies outfit defines her but I can't really see it (skirt, leggings).

#6; Better than 5 but not quite there... I like the camera angle on this better too.

#7 & 8; I think these would do better if the subs were brightened up a tad or the BG darkened and 7 might have benefited from a lower angle as well.... I dunno.


Just my thoughts.
Really like the concept!

D'Buggs

Maybe B&W's are needed for the last 2?????

JimmyHickey

Thanks for your input stay tuned for the rest of the project.

dmmattix

Have you thought of doing the series in Black and White. The processing seems as though you are going for a low contrast/muted/gritty look and feel which is probably appropriate for the subject matter. Historically, Black and White just does gritty better than muted color.

Just a thought and my $0.02 worth.

Mike

JimmyHickey

dmmattix wrote:

Have you thought of doing the series in Black and White. The processing seems as though you are going for a low contrast/muted/gritty look and feel which is probably appropriate for the subject matter. Historically, Black and White just does gritty better than muted color.

Just a thought and my $0.02 worth.

Mike

Thanks for the comment. However B&W just isn't the look I'm going for...really ever. I much prefer color.