“Duane Michals: The Man Who Invented Himself” is a film that deeply resonated with me on many levels. As an amateur photographer, I have always been fascinated by the power of photography to tell stories and evoke emotions. Michals’ work goes far beyond a simple representation of reality, pushing the boundaries of what photography can be and inspiring me to be more creative in my own work.

One of the photo series that stood out to me was “Things Are Queer” (1972). The series consists of five black-and-white images, each featuring a different object and a caption that subverts our expectations of what we’re seeing. Michals’ playful approach to photography challenges our perceptions and encourages us to question what we think we know. For me, this series was a reminder that photography can be a tool for creating alternate realities and exploring the boundaries of our imagination.

Another image that really struck me was “Chance Meeting” (1970). This iconic photo features two men walking past each other on a busy street, with a thought bubble above each man’s head showing what they’re thinking. The man on the left is thinking “I’m gay” while the man on the right is thinking “I’m not.” The image is a powerful commentary on the societal pressures that force people to conform to certain identities and the internal struggles that result from that pressure. It made me think about how our identities are often shaped by external expectations, and how difficult it can be to stay true to ourselves in a world that is constantly trying to change us.

Finally, “The Spirit Leaves the Body” (1968) was a series that really stayed with me. The series consists of nine black-and-white images that document the moment of death, with each image featuring a person in the process of dying and the final image showing an empty bed. This haunting exploration of the final moments of life and the mystery of what comes after death was both beautiful and unsettling. Michals’ use of multiple images to tell a story was particularly effective in this series, as it allowed us to see the progression of the person’s death and the physical changes that occur. It made me think about the fragility of life and how important it is to live in the moment and appreciate the time we have.