A Rare Disease and Analog Photography Merge in a Portrait of Self-Discovery

A closer look at A Rare Disease and Analog Photography Merge in a Portrait of Self-Discovery

What this Colossal piece covers

The article reports on Cy Kuckenbaker’s short film 'Everything Twice,' which intertwines his discovery of a rare congenital condition with a return to slow, analog photography.

It describes how Kuckenbaker noticed a droop in one eye since childhood, initially blamed it on a snowboarding accident, and only after many tests learned he was born with a rare disease.

What you can see or learn from the film

You can expect footage that pairs labor-intensive, homemade photographic processes with personal reflection: Kuckenbaker used cardboard-box cameras and drugstore magnifying glasses to capture West Coast landscapes and everyday sights.

The film is framed as a meditation on self-discovery, burnout, disconnection, and loss, using the slow pace of analog methods to mirror the unfolding of his medical realization.

Who might appreciate this article and film

People interested in analog photography, DIY camera techniques, and experimental image-making will find the technical approach described here relevant.

Readers drawn to personal documentary work about disability, identity, and mental health, as well as those who follow short films and artist projects, are likely to find the story meaningful.

Questions people ask about A Rare Disease and Analog Photography Merge in a Portrait of Self-Discovery

Does the article explain how Kuckenbaker discovered his condition?

Yes - it notes he experienced a drooping eye since childhood, underwent many tests, and later learned the condition was congenital rather than caused by an accident.

What photographic techniques does the piece mention?

The article mentions homemade cameras made from cardboard boxes and the use of drugstore magnifying glasses to create slow, analog images of West Coast scenes.

Is the film presented as documentary or fictional?

The piece frames 'Everything Twice' as a short film that functions as a quiet meditation and personal documentary of self-discovery.

A Rare Disease and Analog Photography Merge in a Portrait of Self-Discovery was shared on NexURLs by Nexis on November 1, 2026, in Design & Art.