Faces out of Darkness

[peterm1]

I was processing an old image and what struck me about it was the way the faces in it seemed to loom out of darkness. I then realized I had at least one other photo (which was shot in the same place - a tea shop in Melbourne) which had the same character. Then the thought followed that many of the most impressive portraits I have seen on Flickr (most far better than mine) have these characteristics too.
The thought naturally followed that maybe this would be a nice topic for a "words / no words" thread. So fellow RRF'ians over to you. Though I will go searching my photos to see what else is there from me and add some more if I find them. Keen to see others of this sort.


Through a Tea Room Window by Life in Shadows, on Flickr

Through a Glass, Darkly 4 by Life in Shadows, on Flickr

And maybe these two of the same young woman for good measure.

Cafe Colombia - Adelaide Central Market 5 by Life in Shadows, on Flickr

Cafe Colombia - Adelaide Central Market 2 by Life in Shadows, on Flickr

 

[narsuitus]

Jeweler by Narsuitus, on Flickr

 

[fireblade]

Untitled by vinny morrissey, on Flickr

20200816_184555 by vinny morrissey, on Flickr

 

[peterm1]

There is another that just jumped out at me.

Cafe study 12 by Life in Shadows, on Flickr

 

[Out to Lunch]

 

[JohnBeeching]

Essentially, this is chiaroscuro which is also used by painters - think Rembrandt. Here are some people not looking at the Night Watch, but rather at reproductions of it. Leica M6, 35mm, Tri-X.
Rijksmuseum, 2006. by John Beeching, on Flickr

 

[peterm1]

Essentially, this is chiaroscuro which is also used by painters - think Rembrandt. Here are some people not looking at the Night Watch, but rather at reproductions of it. Leica M6, 35mm, Tri-X.
Rijksmuseum, 2006. by John Beeching, on Flickr

Yes it is too! I had not made the connection when I started the thread although a few years ago I think I did start a thread here on chiaroscuro. (Shows I am getting old and slow.)

I love the irony that in a thread about chiaroscuro you have posted a post about chiaroscuro, in which the subjects are rendered in chiaroscuro and are simultaneously looking at a painting that uses chiaroscuro by one of the masters of chiaroscuro. 🙂 Phew just writing that tired me out.

Well called.

 

[pesphoto]

 

[Vince Lupo]

This one is a few years old, but I think it qualifies.


Carol by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

 

[lynnb]

20200816_184555 by vinny morrissey, on Flickr

Great portrait, Vinny!

 

[lynnb]

I guess this one might qualify

 

[fireblade]

Great portrait, Vinny!

Thankyou Lynn.

 

[shimokita]

Niseko, Hokkaido 27-Feb-2013

.

 

[Out to Lunch]

 

[peterm1]

I tracked down a couple more. Well Ok, three.

The Light Shines Through by Life in Shadows, on Flickr

Casual Portrait in Monochrome by Life in Shadows, on Flickr

A Moment of Quiet Contemplation by Life in Shadows, on Flickr

 

[peterm1]

Untitled by vinny morrissey, on Flickr

20200816_184555 by vinny morrissey, on Flickr

I particularly like the first one Fireblade - those eyes. Wow!

 

[JohnBeeching]

Hong Kong. X-Pro1, 18mm.
Stick by John Beeching, on Flickr

 

[fti]

Untitled by vinny morrissey, on Flickr

I love this first shot. It reminds of the cover of American History X with Edward Norton.

 

[andyturk]

Portrait of a friend

 

[ninadp]