Prepared for Battle - monomad daily chalenge

Hello to all my dear friends in the Black & White community,
This is Menti, back again with a new post and another series to share.
This time, I brought a studio set featuring a powerful male model—calm, composed, and completely ready to fight. With fists clenched, hands wrapped in training bands, and a physique carved by discipline, every frame tells a story of strength and focus.

Lighting played the lead role in this shoot. I used side and backlighting setups to highlight muscle definition and body structure. In some frames, I used softer light to reveal a more introspective, calm version of the model. In others, hard light sculpted the shadows across his form, creating an intense, almost statue-like visual.

What stood out in this session was the simplicity: just the man, his wrap, his tattoos, and the story in his eyes. The chest tattoo—“Yasin”—feels personal, perhaps a name carrying emotional weight or motivation. I tried to reflect that in how I framed and lit him, especially in close-up portraits where emotion meets tension.

The bandaged hands added a raw authenticity. No gloves, no distractions—just a sense of real preparation, grit, and character. The side tattoo, with anchor and compass symbols, hinted at something deeper: navigation, direction, and maybe inner resilience.

Choosing black and white was intentional. Colors could have diluted the atmosphere, but in grayscale, every drop of sweat, every shadow, every flexed line told a clearer story. The tones spoke for themselves.

But there’s something even deeper here.
“Yasin” isn’t just ink on his skin—it’s the name of his older brother. A fighter himself, Yasin lost his life in a major fight years ago. Since then, every time this young man steps into the ring, he does it for both of them.
His strength is not just physical—it’s the memory, the bond, and the silent promise to never let Yasin be forgotten.
Thanks for being with me through this series. As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, or feedback.

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