The Known-Unknown

Oftentimes you'll read on the web about the importance of lighting in photography.   Photography is essentially writing with light. The name, after all, means light (photo) writing (graph). While this is certainly true, in black & white photography especially it is often the shadows that will produce a really great image. While you can't diminish the importance of lighting in black & white photography, the shadows can be just as important. 

Shadows provide contrast, the lovely smoothness of the models' skin offset against the dark background immediately draws the eye and focuses attention to the intended subject.  But there is more.

Shadows also provide an air of mystery to the image.  What's behind the models off in the right-hand corner of the image?  We don't know.  In fact, we will never know what is back there and in this knowledge about lack of knowledge, the known-unknown, lies the appeal of this image.  Yes the models are beautiful but they would remain beautiful under glaring lights and in full color images.  By showing only portions of the models and obscuring the rest we intrigue the viewer and make for a more powerful image.