Cracking the Mask


The first evidence of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is often what is called “The Mask.” It manifests to various degrees as a lack of expression in the face, caused by loss of nervous impulse to the facial muscles. Through portraits and action photography this project aims to investigate how exercise, in this case non-contact boxing, can improve PD patients’ quality-of-life and sense of efficacy and self-worth, and ultimately “crack The Mask.”


These photographs were made in collaboration with the instructors and patients of Rock Steady Boxing, NY/LA, now known as StoPD, and Gleason's Gym in 2014.


For any enquiries about licencing or using my imagery or this story please contact me at:

edbrydon@gmail.com
+44 7739 505636

All Images Copyright © Ed Brydon. No unauthorised usage online or in print unless agreed with copyright holder 

Image of a man's hands, wrapping them with black sports wrap prior to beginning boxing training.
Image of hands, with sports wrap of various colours, coming together in the middle of a circle of people for encouragement.
Close-up of red boxing gloves on the arms of a woman.
Blurred motion of feet and lower legs in a blue boxing ring.
Portrait of Les Mills, African-American man with short hair, white t-shirt, sweating after non-contact boxing training. Red wall with chunks out of it behind him.

Les Mills, Rock Steady Boxing, Gleason's Gym, New York.

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A woman just out of frame left holds up two boxing mitts for an African-American man who is ready to punch them.
An African-American man punches a heavy bag, with one hand visible holding the bag, at Gleason's Boxing gym
Overhead view of an African-American man getting up from a blue boxing ring with a sweat patch on the floor.
Portrait of Dr Barry Stimmel, old caucasian man with medium length grey hair and goatee, grey t-shirt, sweating after non-contact boxing training. Red wall with chunks out of it behind him.

Dr Barry Stimmel, Rock Steady Boxing, Gleason's Gym, New York.

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An older man with grey hair and grey t-shirt walks past a mirrored wall towards a boxing ring.
An older man with grey hair and a grey t-shirt gets ready to punch the mitts of a trainer who has his back to the viewer.
Portrait of Laura Turzo, woman smiling with pulled back brown hair, white t-shirt, sweating after non-contact boxing training. Red wall with chunks out of it behind her.

Laura Turzo, Rock Steady Boxing, Gleason's Gym, New York.

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A woman holds up both her gloved hands ready to begin boxing training.
A woman viewed among the arms of her fellow participants smiles during a press-up/push up routine
A woman wearing a white t-shirt and blue leggings wearing red and white boxing gloves lies on the floor of a blue boxing ring with other people's limbs just in the image.
Portrait of Kenneth Shaw, large caucasian man with short brown hair and stubble, black t-shirt, sweating after non-contact boxing training. Red wall with chunks out of it behind him.

Kenneth Shaw, Rock Steady Boxing, Gleason's Gym, New York.

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A large man readies himself as he is about to punch a heavy bag.
A large man raises his black-gloved hands to being sparring with a boxing trainer.
Overhead view of a large man blowing hard while lying on the blue boxing ring mat, red and white ropes visible at the bottom of the image.
Several people sit on a blue boxing ring mat leaning forwards to touch their toes.
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