GC, as a photographer, I need your opinion and help!

[NinjaPoodle]

I have my ideas for this but I need you guys to help me refine it. When you hear the phrase Only the Strong Survive, what comes to mind IN RELATION TO A WOMAN?

(btw, I will give due credit!)

[jessica.lanelle]

Cancer.

[NinjaPoodle]

Jessica, I see what you're saying, (and thank you) but I guess I should have said, what comes to your mind visually and physically? I'm trying to visually illustrate this phrase.

[southbymidwest]

The wife or mother of a slain member of the Military at their funeral when they are handed the folded American flag.

CAn't think of specific images for the below:

Yeardley Love's mom and sister (UVA lacrosse player who was murdered over the weekend)

The mother of any son/daughter taken too young be it from illness, accident, violence or suicide.

[DrPhil]

Something loosely like this but leaning more on the "strong and survive" notion as balanced with notions of femininity.

I DEFINITELY don't see anything sad or tear jerker.

[southbymidwest]

The Rosie the Riveter poster from WWII, where she is flexing her arm, with the caption, "Yes We Can", or something like that.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by jessica.lanelle

Cancer.

I thought of a breast cancer walk, and specifically an image of a woman who had had a mastectomy.

[ComradesTrue]

Originally Posted by jessica.lanelle

Cancer.

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I thought of a breast cancer walk, and specifically an image of a woman who had had a mastectomy.

I initially thought of this too, but I also urge caution and sensitivity. There are plenty of VERY strong women who have faced cancer but who sadly were not able to beat the disease. I know you would never want to insinuate that those who fell to the disease were not strong. The term "only" is what makes me a tad uneasy.

(my husband is an oncologist and I have just heard too many heartbreaking stories. Some types of cancers are just so bad it just doesn't matter how strong one fights.. the cancer always wins. Sad.)

NP- great question and I really like the military suggestion. I will try to think of others. Again the "only" makes this hard for me!

[1stSoon2BePhD]

I see a woman who has clearly gone through a trial in her life but has come through victorious. Like a single mother who put all 5 of her children through college on her own, or a woman who had a baby while in medical school and was able to graduate ... something like that.

I hope this helps and good luck

[ree-Xi]

A woman busting out of chains.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by Blondie93

I initially thought of this too, but I also urge caution and sensitivity. There are plenty of VERY strong women who have faced cancer but who sadly were not able to beat the disease. I know you would never want to insinuate that those who fell to the disease were not strong. The term "only" is what makes me a tad uneasy.

I agree with this.

[33girl]

A woman sweating like a hog while jogging on a treadmill to the Jerry Butler song. (I think this was a Weight Watchers or some weight-loss food commercial a few years ago.)

[dreamseeker]

a solo

a woman sitting quietly while reflecting over her life and the trials she's faced.

[Little32]

A grandmotherly woman, white-haired, wrinkled, but beautiful and vibrant, with a twinkle in her eye. (my grannie ) I am thinking a beauty shot type of image almost. Close up, nowhere to hide, where you see everything.

This will sound completely inappropriate, but I love old people. I love that you can look at them and know that if they have lived this long, they have seen and been through some things. I love old people who still have a spring in their step and a zest for living. That, to me, is strength and survival.

Good luck.

[txpacer]

To take a different route--and be quite a bit shallower--one might see a woman faced with a cloud of tweezers, flat irons/furling irons, corsets (or Spanx), blow dryers, eyelash curlers, etc..., or one woman facing a group of intimidating-looking women.

I also think of female soldiers.

ETA: I love Little32's idea.