Between Shadow and Clarity - monomad daily chalenge

Hello dear friends in the Black & White Community,
This is Menti, and I’m back with another blog and another post.

This time, I want to talk about a photo series that may seem simple at first glance, but executing it required attention to many small details. The setting was a glasshouse — a structure with natural top light, shadows from surrounding trees, and clean architectural lines that helped keep the subject at the center of attention.

In the first photo, we’re presented with a perfectly symmetrical composition. The man stands firmly at the center, framed by open glass doors, directly beneath a ceiling lamp and fan — right where all the vertical and diagonal lines converge. The camera angle is slightly lower than eye level to enhance the sense of stature and presence. Lighting was a challenge here; harsh daylight from above had to be softened. I used the semi-transparent roof as a natural diffuser, avoiding any artificial lighting. The result is even, controlled, and elegant.

In the second photo, we catch a subtle moment — the subject adjusting his tie. It’s a quiet gesture, yet powerful. Unlike the previous image, this one feels more intimate while still maintaining a formal tone. The lighting remains soft and natural, with more emphasis on the face and hands. The floor tiles and wall plants helped maintain a visual balance across the frame.

In the third image, the subject is now seated — legs crossed, arms relaxed on the sofa, eyes calmly looking to the side. The composition opens up, leaving behind the strict symmetry. The setting feels semi-rural with a plain white wall decorated by three heart-shaped vases in a gentle diagonal line. Everything here serves the mood of silent masculinity — not passive silence, but thoughtful, present, and intentional. The warm tones add to the atmosphere of calmness and control.

And in the fourth photo, we get a slightly different perspective. A blurred leaf in the foreground partially covers the frame, making it feel as though we’re watching the man from behind a plant — quietly, from a distance. The pose hasn’t changed, but the mood has. More space above the head, visible lines of the ceiling, and the enclosing walls create a sense of personal space, solitude, and reflection.

Overall, this session was a study in natural light, subtle posing, and minimalist layout in a confined space. The key for me was preserving the dignity of the scene — keeping everything intentional and quiet, so the presence of the man would speak on its own.

Photography By @menati
Camera: Sony a7 III
Lens: 24-70mm f/2.8 SIGMA ART DG DN