Faces out of Darkness

peterm1

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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
 
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.
 
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