How You Can Help

Looking for fifteen minutes of fame or a book's-lifetime of immortality? Well, have I got an opportunity for you.

First, make sure you are comfortable with all of the fine print. Then:

Take two photographs of yourself, using a timer/tripod or a third party, and following these general guidelines:

• One photo shows you in your mainstream persona.
• One photo shows you in your goth persona.
• Both photos should be in the same or a similar location, of your choice, indoors or outdoors.
• Photos should be posed portraits but not be stiff "mugshot"-style compositions. (Think senior pictures.)
• Pictures should be in portrait orientation (taller than they are wide) where possible.
• The photos should have similar lighting.
• Photos should be in focus and clear.
• The photos can be in color or B&W. They will almost certainly be printed in B&W for this project, due to the cost of color publication.
• Photos should be of sufficient quality that they could be printed at up to 8x10 inches.
• No other people in the photos.
• No illegal activity portrayed in the photos.

Digitize your images.
Preferred format is .JPG or .PNG, between 200-300 DPI, and printable at up to 8x10 inches.

Submit your images and information to me via email.

• Send up to two photos of each persona.
• Provide your first name and occupation as well as the corresponding information for your goth persona.
• If a third party took your photographs, provide his/her name.
• Optional: tell me about yourself, your dual lives - anything you'd like to share that you think might help me and/or readers understand you and your images.
• Include photos as attachments, or send as links from a photo storage site, to oxford.and.leather@gmail.com.

I'll contact you to let you know that I received the images, and may ask you a few questions. As the bookwork comes together, I will let you know if your photographs will be included and will speak with you regarding your copy.

Increase your chance of being included.
Ideally, I'm looking for good-quality, interesting pictures that show a sharp contrast between the daytime self and the nighttime self against a fairly neutral (thematically), consistent backdrop. The subject (you) should fill a majority of the frame; the photographs should show all or most of you (not just a headshot or from the waist up). My dream photos would be in sharp focus, B&W, with good lighting. The transformation between the mainstream and the goth personas would be dramatic and complete - full makeup, hair, etc.. The shift in persona would be reflected in facial expression and body language as well as attire. While the photographs are posed and well-composed, they would include an element of drama.

I'm also looking for a wide variety of participants. It won't be a very interesting bookwork if all I get are accountants who moonlight as vampires - although that might be a great idea for a short story!

If I am looking at two equally fascinating sets of images, and one participant has provided me with the optional information listed above, that person will likely get preference.