Compositionally divided diagonally, stabilized with a pyramid formed of the obscured figure’s shoulders rising up through to the top of the flame. There is the contrast of the deep shadows and the blown highlights, with expanses of limited greys. The structural lines are horizontal and vertical, save for the forearm following the slant of the shoulder and the dipped cluster of lit candles. Behind these is a face, but we cannot see the details; we just know it is there. There are maybe five blocks of tone, one of them pitch black, one of them a blown white. It’s a quiet image.
This alternative image has all that recommends the first, but we see the face emerging to the left. It is still partially obscured, however, and the eyes are closed, so it lacks an expression, save for the way the lens has drawn it. The lens is a 135mm f4 Leica M.
Ingrid says
I like seeing both pictures to compare the images… If you don’t look closely enough at the 1st one you may not notice the face in the shadows then see the ear! I like his peaceful appearance in the 2nd scene as someone is reaching in front to set down the candles.