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Part of a series looking at light and life through darkness. These images were shot at a birthday party the other day. These are dark images and are best viewed as large as possible and on a black background. Click images for best viewing.

The Party


The Present

Whist it's nice to see some experimentation in photography, I find these images too dark to provide any meaningful message.

You were obviously seeking a special effect, but a touch more light on the subjects would be helpful IMO.

I shot it with natural light. As to meaning, that's up to the viewer, but I like the sense of loneliness one gets from them. The first one in particular is a fav, it highlights that idea of a party with no one there and those that are there are disembodied. A mate of mine said it looked more like a funeral than a party. I guess that's the point. Sometimes people don't always feel happy or fit in at parties.

Fair enough.

But look at photo #1 without the information you have just conveyed. What does it say to the viewer as a stand-alone work? Is there a theme or a message that is obvious to the viewer? I don't think so, but maybe that's just me.

I'm not trying to be negative. On the contrary, I like the experimentation. I am just providing constructive criticism, and I am only a single viewer. Others may think differently.

I agree with Trevor, here. The first image doesn't say a lot on its own. If the explanation is needed then it is missing something.

The second image has more meaning, but without the title, it could mean a lot of things. Sympathy. A heartfelt farewell.

I tend to agree with some of the previous comments. Love the experimentation but I just don't find that it works for me.

I wonder if the fact that you were on location means you have attached memories etc that aren't apparent in the images themselves?

Cheers

#1 has an eerrie feel to it, but I agree with the others that it would be a supporting photo a series. But it's not strong on it's own though. Unusual viewpoint of a birthday party though.

surenj wrote:#1 has an eerrie feel to it, but I agree with the others that it would be a supporting photo a series. But it's not strong on it's own though. Unusual viewpoint of a birthday party though.

Thats the thing though, it is the begining of a series. I didn't know I was going to go down that path till I shot the images. Now it has become a project.

Mitchell wrote:I tend to agree with some of the previous comments. Love the experimentation but I just don't find that it works for me.

I wonder if the fact that you were on location means you have attached memories etc that aren't apparent in the images themselves?

Cheers

That's interesting point. I usually don't, but it might be the case.