this is a Type O Negative homage that i've been thinking for about 3 years now. it's directly from a shirt of theirs ([link]), i first saw it in the 90's and the picture has been with me since. i wanted to make a photo version of it because it brought a twisted smile on my face and i like the band a lot even if i don't listen to it much anymore.

clearly this type of photography is not my specialty, i felt pretty dumb as i had to shoot some of the items several times and the end result is not very amazing. but i wanted to do it and now i've done it.

i understand the supposed 'message' can upset many, and although i like to press the humor side of it, it's true that it's quite direct and harsh. some things in life are, but this is luckily not a gun pointing at you, it's just a picture. i find the sentence 'just say yes' interesting because like a friend put it, it is like tempting the dark side in us, assuming there is one in everyone, the side that wants to 'say yes'. it's not just about suicide, it's inviting you to give in to anything. i always found the dark side interesting but i know that is not the case with everyone. in the end, you can let type o negative stand as an example, despite such cruel messages, they're all still alive the band's black humor and controversial style show well in this 'idea', which is why still appreciate it and yet i was not feeling tempted to try any of the items i was shooting. suicide in our society is a bad thing that we should not talk about unless in a overly soft and understanding manner and certainly should not encourage to it, but type o shows the finger to that, whether it's cool or not.
i do hope you don't feel the need to say yes.