This series emerged from an internal impulse to capture the protagonist’s inner control within the frame. Each shot appears as a seized moment of concentrated energy; the frequent use of tight crops serves as a direct metaphor for focus and capturing the fleeting instant. The wide shots further reinforce this concept, depicting the protagonist as if she is on the precipice of action—poised on the edge of movement and deep internal stillness. The model’s face is often obscured, shifting the emphasis toward body language, tension, and non-verbal expression. Every pose is a captured fragment of her search for her own place in space, a quest palpable through the strain and occasional awkwardness of her form. There is a sense of energy here that is ready to burst forth at any moment, yet remains forever locked within the stasis of the photographic medium.
CreditsPhotographs taken during the artistic residency at the HSE Art & Design School x Nanlite Light Photography Laboratory for the 2026 Pingyao International Photography Festival (PIP).Sponsored by @nanlite_global Shot at @hsedesign Setup and support by @silasvetaLecturer and Nanlite representative: @xulong.zhang Head coordinator: @alisaa_a Head of collaboration: Irina Chmyreva Special thanks: Liu XiaoxiaShots by @starchesckii3 JulyMakeup & hair @chezamakeup Model @lubabssLook 1 @raskotikova Look 2 @raskotikovaArt direction & Production @alisaa_a @be_step6 JulyMakeup & hair @chezamakeup Model 1 @amonika.barkhan Model 2 @sandraewsLook 1 @ilyashugaev Look 2 @aleksandra.ligay Look 3 @raskotikova Look 4 @be_stepArt direction & Production @alisaa_a @be_step7 JulyMakeup, hair @chezamakeup Md @alexndrausDesign Look 1 @be_step Design Look 2 @ilyashugaev Look 3 @aleksandra.ligay & @be_step Look 4 @be_stepArt direction & Production @alisaa_a @be_step8 JulyMakeup, hair @emmashrayber Model 1 @amonika.barkhan Model 2 @kokoreva_mar1aDesign Look 1 @be_step Design Look 2 @be_step Look 3 @aleksandra.ligay Look 4 @ilyashugaevArt direction & Production @alisaa_a @be_step9 JulyMakeup, hair @emmashrayber Model 1 @lubabss Model 2 @kokoreva_mar1aDesign Look 1 @be_step Design Look 2 @be_step Look 3 @aleksandra.ligay Look 4 @be_stepArt direction & Production @alisaa_a @be_step13 JulyTsarytsino Museum-reserve Ekaterininsky Hall of the Grand PalaceMakeup, hair @emmashrayber Model 1 @amonika.barkhan Model 2 @skwptpcn Model 3 @sofileskLook 1 @ilovesilencee Look 2 @ilovesilencee Look 3 @ilovesilenceeLooks 4,5,6 @ilovesilenceeLook 7 be_step Look 8 @ilovesilenceeArt direction & Production @alisaa_a @be_step
