# Pitch Black Portraiture Philippe Lesprit Takes Photographs of Subjects in Dark Surroundings By Jason Soy | Published 2012-02-16 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/philippe-lesprit References: [illusion.scene360](http://illusion.scene360.com/art/26564/looking-at-you/) & [philippelesprit](http://www.philippelesprit.com/) Getting the [perfect lighting](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/delicate-lighting) is of utmost importance in photography, but Philippe Lesprit tries to challenge that in this peculiar series of portraits, shot in [near darkness](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/darkest-campaign-yet). The subjects’ surroundings are almost pitch black, which creates a simultaneously calming and unsettling atmosphere. Lesprit’s models then seemingly come out of nowhere to catch any faint hints of light in order to reveal themselves. Viewers have to strain their eyes a bit in order to make out each figure, but they’re still beautifully represented in this enigmatic collection. It should be noted that Philippe Lesprit’s dim lighting does not equate to poor lighting. Whatever he’s using as a light source, he's still positioning it in a manner which creates the best angles on his models. The contrast between shadows and the reflected light make the visuals pop right off the screen. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 68% | Activity: 35% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Dark Surroundings Photography:** Embracing near darkness in photography creates a unique and enigmatic atmosphere for portraits. - **Challenging Lighting Norms:** Exploring unconventional lighting techniques in photography disrupts traditional notions of perfect lighting. - **Contrast and Reflection:** Using contrast and reflected light enhances the visual impact of photographs in dark settings. ### Who This Affects Most - **Photography:** Photographers can experiment with dark surroundings and unconventional lighting to create captivating and mysterious portraits. - **Art:** Artists can explore the use of darkness and light contrasts to create visually captivating and thought-provoking artworks. - **Interior Design:** Designers can integrate dark surroundings and creative lighting techniques to create unique and immersive environments. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Tree Branch-Formed Lighting Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/celestial-attraction.md) - [Material-Exploring Industrial-Style Lighting](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/industrialstyle-lighting.md) - [Painting-Immersive Photo Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-ground-exhibition.md) - [Graphic Lighting Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pyl-lighting.md) - [Paper Curvature Lights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-curves.md) - [Nighttime Restaurant Perfumes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dans-le-noir-eau-de-parfum-de-nuit.md) - [Stunningly Minimalist Lighting Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/minimalist-lighting-design.md) - [AI-Powered Portrait Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-powered-portrait-studio.md) - [Shadow-Inspired Trays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lightware-series.md)