This is an image I had to make, it was crystal clear in my mind what I wanted it to look like.
It began a few months back when a guy I know moved into a house with an amazingly creepy attic. I saw the attic and I knew I wanted to shoot a model there, smoking against the brick chimney. It took a bit of thinking, but I even knew the model I wanted.
We all carry scars from the low points in our lives, he's brave enough to carry his on his face. I respect that. I think it's beautiful.
A month ago I had a chance to ask him. He was willing to let me shoot him nude. But he left town again before we could do it. (He lives in Canada.) This weekend, he was back, the time was here.
He's smoking tobacco, of course.
Three strobes. One in softbox as key, one bare as kick, one behind the chimney to fill in the darkness back there.
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I'm going through the entries, stopping at those images I feel have had the benefit of an unconventional eye and dwelling a little longer to try to see and appreciate what you saw. This is one of those images.
Positives: I like unusual portraits and although I'm not sure I like this one (see below), I really admire the work here. Bold as you like subject and composition, I love the POV and how it goes up, up and over the top - almost backwards it seems; without seeming to be distorted. Confounding and slitly amazing. I really like the jaundiced coloration too and of course the story.
Critical stuff: A smoking motif is something I would normally despise, but nonetheless you carry it here.
Damn, I think that's precisely how I feel right now. =/ Although this might be staged, the sense of emptiness and temporary euphoria are conveyed effectively. The harsh fluorescent lighting and the green cast are perfect for this kind of image.
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