Tosin’s Images & Anecdotes (TIAA) is my self-assigned photography challenge of 2022. The immediate objective is to select one image from my inventory (a cityscape, landscape, portrait, oddity, etc.) each week and write something about it. This “something” could be the story behind the photo, a triggered memory in relation to the photo, or simply a reaction or reflection based on the subject matter featured. The long-term objective is to encourage myself to add more content to “La Vue Atypique”, which celebrates its first decade in publication this year.
What can I say about the photograph above?
My hair started to recede when I was in my mid-20s. I remember combing my high top fade — (Side note: definitely look that up in your browser if you don’t know that hairstyle because it’s still a thing) — and seeing a spot on the top center of my head that became increasingly challenged to develop follicles. The spot was literally in the shape of a circle which became more prominent with each passing month. Eventually, the bald spot decided it wanted to acquire more real estate on my head.
By the time I reached 30, I had decided it was just easier to shave it all off instead of visiting the local barber to work a miracle every two weeks. Sporting a bald head similar in shape to a peanut M&M was less maintenance and somewhat liberating given the effort I invested to present myself every day. Being bald wasn’t a bad look for me. Combined with my eye-glasses, I figured I could rock a black “Clark Kent” style. (In retrospect, I probably resembled a black Lex Luthor…but whatever…back to the story). I’ve donned this hairless head ever since.
However, I must admit there are times I wonder what I would have looked like if my hair hadn’t vacated my head so early in my life.
Since this is the weekend before Halloween, I thought I would explore and entertain this theme further. Let’s see. I have purchased four wigs since I relocated to Seattle for different reasons, such as Halloween or a photography project. I think I still have all of them. Below, enjoy a slideshow from a very brief self-portrait photo shoot featuring a Prince wig from his “Purple Rain” album era in the 1980s. (I might wear this wig to work on Monday just to see if it perplexes my coworkers.)
The next three photos are from Psycheography, my personal, ongoing photo project. Immediately below is a tribute to Madonna’s timeless music video, “Vogue”. To be perfectly honest, I don’t think I would make a good blonde, but it was fun to try it for the project.
About a year later, I bought a toupée in anticipation that I would use it several times in my photography for humor or comedic relief. That failed to materialize for me personally. Nevertheless, please feel free to chuckle when you look at these, as this was part of the original objective. Hopefully, I don’t have to say who I’m mimicking here.
Hopefully, you laughed a little bit during this entry. See you next time.
43 articles down for the TIAA challenge. 9 remain!
The wigs are great and the facial expressions really bring everything to life. Kudos.