# Muddy Masked Captures Jonathan May Inspires Fear and Hilarity with His Latest Photo Series By Susan Keefe | Published 2011-11-06 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jonathan-may2 References: [sweet-station](http://sweet-station.com/blog/2011/11/jonathan-may/) & [jonathanmayphotography](http://jonathanmayphotography.com/) These unique photos by Jonathan May inspire a jolt of shock upon first glance. It takes a moment to figure out the image; the viewer is forced to explore the photos details with a mildly repulsed curiosity. Upon recognizing these shadowy figures as mud-streaked, masked and bikini-clad people, the [playful tone](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/afterglow-1) of these shots causes the observer to re-evaluate their original reaction to these images. The humor of these images and the jolly stance May's subjects assume contrasts strongly with the [moody low level lighting](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lightware-series) Jonathan May favored for this series. The shadows obscure the figures' [masked faces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glass-001-artistry-mask) further causing the viewer to further misunderstand what they are observing. The pieces may inspire fear in one instance and a few smiles the next. The tricky light of dawn and dusk play with the emotions of the observer. These photos inspire the unlikely emotional intersection of humor and fear. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.2/10 - Popularity: 17% | Activity: 11% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Modern](https://www.trendhunter.com/modern) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Unique Photography:** The unconventional style of Jonathan May's photos presents opportunities to disrupt the traditional photography industry. - **Playful Shock Value:** The humor and unexpected subject matter in May's photos provide opportunities for disruptive innovation in the entertainment and art industries. - **Emotional Intersection:** Exploring the blend of emotions evoked by May's photos can lead to disruptive innovations in psychology and marketing fields. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Photography:** May's unique photography style opens up opportunities for disruption in the traditional photography industry. - **Entertainment:** May's playful shock value in his photos can disrupt the entertainment industry by pushing boundaries and redefining what is considered comedic or shocking. - **Art:** The unconventional and thought-provoking nature of May's photos presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in the art industry by challenging traditional artistic norms and expectations. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Apocalypse Post Pandemic Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contemporary-urban-art.md) - [Painting-Immersive Photo Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-ground-exhibition.md) - [Limited Humorous Art Prints](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/david-shrigley-1.md) - [Artful Suspended Fashion Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/invisible-figures.md) - [Public Art Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paul-anthony-smith.md) - [Glamorous Artful Bronze Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweet-jane.md) - [Emotive Inflatable Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lian-mask.md) - [Identity-Exploring Clothing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shapes-we-take.md) - [Human Duality-Themed Abstract Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/passive-aggression.md)