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Darkness



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This portrait is titled darkness because it depicts 'our darkest hours'. It is an attempt to uncover some elusive intimate & dark emotion, like an...
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This portrait is titled darkness because it depicts 'our darkest hours'. It is an attempt to uncover some elusive intimate & dark emotion, like an expression of sadness, which isn't easily expressed in an image.
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1863

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Awards

Contest Finalist in Mysterious Shots Photo Contest
Member Selection Award
Featured
Curator's Choice
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Peer Award
Superb Composition
CrisPatrick JayCeeBee sonuzphotos ECBPhotog J.C.Celmer paulcorpus Charlene-Shelby +26
Love it
Wessel-Domingus Hov1s hendrixblueginger Danni_Appel Fatore tinamarie_7110 terrythimesch +18
Top Choice
Jasonboydduncan kadenbrown robanaka florinhorhat FaustoMarsol sunilpanday Forfarlass +15
Absolute Masterpiece
WilliamJordan84 robwill236 Witmar larryollivier pacinodeppfan1 Svenergy72 shelizi +5
All Star
embas FotoPhantasia Badgrandad Seetheworld conniegreen_3013
Outstanding Creativity
TsvetanMozakov AtomB rajkowski_photo alfredoybarra
Magnificent Capture
Resquin Ulysees DamianHadjiyvanov steveyancey
Superior Skill
JasonTrikes timmymarsee

Top Ranks

Mysterious Shots Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Mysterious Shots Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Image of the Year Photo Contest 2016Top 10 rank
Image of the Year Photo Contest 2016Top 10 rank week 1
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 6Top 20 rank week 1

Categories


6 Comments |
pstavs
 
pstavs January 19, 2016
This photo titled 'Darkness' is processed to be a little gritty and raw, even a little unflattering, and so it becomes beautiful in an unconventional way!
giovanioliveira7
 
giovanioliveira7 February 17, 2016
Beautifull light !
pstavs
pstavs February 17, 2016
Thank you!
ElronF1
 
ElronF1 February 18, 2016
Sometimes unflattering is what makes a great photo. But unflattering isn't the right word. I'd say true is a better match for me. And that is what makes it special. A truly great portrait. Well done
pstavs
pstavs February 18, 2016
ElronF1 thank for for the gracious comment!
B-Framed
B-Framed August 23, 2023
I agree with your summation. What an excellent portrait
JasonTrikes
 
JasonTrikes July 21, 2016
This is great because everyone can see this in a different way. I see troubled, like a young lady stuck in a relationship and can't leave.
Kortny-bec
 
Kortny-bec March 18, 2017
Gorgeous
pstavs
pstavs December 31, 2017
Thank you!
Witmar
 
Witmar December 11, 2017
fantastic shot
pstavs
pstavs December 31, 2017
Thank you!
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Behind The Lens

Location

This is a studio shot

Time

Irrelevant to the resulting image, but around noon

Lighting

Yes, the mood is set using a silver beauty dish with a grid to really focus the light and make it dramatic

Equipment

Camera was a D800 and 85mm f/1.8 lens. It is shot with a single studio light

Inspiration

The photoshoot inspiration came from a friend who was going through some personal turmoil, and I wanted to capture and express that emotion

Editing

Very little post processing in fact, but I did go for a gritty and grainy look to accentuate the raw emotion

In my camera bag

A portrait lens and my D800 are standard features, but I also love creative wide angle lenses.

Feedback

With this shot the key is the lighting and the crop, get the light high up to chisel out the facial features, do not try to pose the model but rather let her tap into her inner emotions and try to capture what she gives you. Post processing is also going to play a part in achieving the mood, so have a plan before you shoot and watch the magic unfold

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