The way we think about aging has started to change over recent years but there’s still some way to go in terms of how older people are depicted in the media.
The fact is, many of the images and language used in publications and on social media often reflect and reinforce unhelpful, inaccurate stereotypes. So, it’s always good to see some push back and more positive portrayals of life as we age. The Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research (CADR) photo competition is a prime example of a project that’s helping to dispel negative perceptions and highlight people whose lives defy these stereotypes.
The theme of the competition is ‘A walk on the wild side’. Although the organisers stress that this doesn’t mean you have to go out hiking through the hills (unless you want to, of course). The title’s interpretation is left entirely up to entrants and how they want to embrace and depict their own ‘wild side’. It could be anything you enjoy doing that challenges some of the commonplace perceptions people have of what it means to be an older person.
The competition is open until 1st September 2021, so there’s plenty of time to get creative, whether you want to photograph your own individual experiences or have friends or relatives who might want to join in. You can find out more about submissions and entry requirements on the CADR news page. Happy snapping!
