Thoughts had during the pictures (aka field notes):
The speed reading was terrifying. Every so often they would take a loud, deep gasp. So many words uttered in one breath and one gasp only to utter so many more. Their chests shuddered and fingers shook. Nerves were at the front of every debate but they were veiled by a confident composure. The debaters are impersonal. A connection, if any is distant and professional as it should be. I like the subtlety. Connections are made in the community not during the actual debate but in the process before or celebration after. It’s a community built on competing against one another; on rising above the ranks. Still at the end of every battle comes the handshake. “Thank you for the debate.” Although still impersonal the shake is strong and reminiscent of the trial.
Hi, Yelena. I enjoyed your pictures and am looking forward to reading your text because I think that your topic comes with a high degree of difficulty and the text would make the pictures much clearer.