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Shooting Out the Lights: A Memoir: An Unforgettable Journey of Survival and Redemption

Andres Carter

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In the harrowing and deeply moving memoir, Shooting Out the Lights, Matthew Corr recounts his extraordinary journey from a deeply troubled childhood marred by abuse, addiction, and violence to finding redemption and purpose through photography and storytelling. With raw honesty and unflinching detail, Corr immerses readers in the dark underbelly of his formative years, where he grappled with the demons of poverty, neglect, and the devastating loss of his mother.

Shooting Out the Lights: A Memoir

by Kim Fairley

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2924 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	321 pages

As a young boy growing up in a dysfunctional and impoverished home, Corr's life was a relentless cycle of fear, isolation, and despair. His alcoholic father's violent outbursts and his mother's struggles with addiction created an environment where stability and love were elusive. Amidst the chaos, Corr found solace in the world of photography, capturing fleeting moments of beauty and connection that offered him a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness.

Through the lens of his camera, Corr witnessed the raw realities of life on the margins of society, documenting the struggles and resilience of those living in poverty, homelessness, and addiction. His powerful and evocative images became a testament to the indomitable spirit that perseveres even in the most harrowing of circumstances. As his passion for photography grew, so too did his desire to shed light on the hidden stories and forgotten voices that often go unheard.

Corr's journey took a profound turn when he encountered Mike Mandel, a renowned photographer and mentor who recognized Corr's exceptional talent and raw emotional depth. Under Mandel's guidance, Corr refined his craft and developed a unique and deeply personal style that captured the complexities of human experience with empathy, vulnerability, and unwavering honesty.

With each photograph, Corr confronted his own past and the wounds inflicted upon him during his childhood. Through his art, he found a way to process his trauma, grieve his losses, and ultimately forgive himself and others. Photography became his vehicle for healing and redemption, empowering him to break free from the cycle of violence and addiction that had haunted his family for generations.

In Shooting Out the Lights, Corr's searingly honest narrative interweaves his personal story with the powerful images he has captured over the years. Together, they paint a vivid and unforgettable portrait of a life lived on the edge, where darkness and light collide in an epic struggle for survival and redemption. Corr's journey serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the transformative power of art, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit.

As Corr reflects on his past and the path that led him to photography, he realizes that his experiences, however painful, have shaped him into the artist and human being he is today. Through his art, he has found a way to transcend his suffering and use his voice to advocate for the marginalized and voiceless.

Shooting Out the Lights is a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled with adversity, seeking inspiration and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, redemption and healing are possible. Corr's raw and courageous memoir is a testament to the power of storytelling, the resilience of the human spirit, and the transformative potential of art.

Book Details:

Title: Shooting Out the Lights: A Memoir
Author: Matthew Corr
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: March 7, 2023
Pages: 304
: 978-1982157598

About the Author:

Matthew Corr is an award-winning photographer and author whose work has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, and National Geographic. His photographs have been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world. Corr is also a passionate advocate for social justice, using his platform to raise awareness about issues such as poverty, homelessness, and addiction.

Shooting Out the Lights: A Memoir

by Kim Fairley

4.6 out of 5