The Eye (Kristina Muc) 2015

Alfred Freddy Krupa captured “The Eye (Kristina Muc)" with what looks like a keen, focused lens. I'm immediately drawn to the stark contrast between the light and shadow. You can see how the light gently grazes the skin, creating a soft, almost dreamlike quality, while the depths of the eye are pools of mystery. I keep wondering, what was Kristina thinking when this photo was taken? The absence of color directs your attention to the minute details, and the incredible texture of the skin, the delicate eyelashes, and the way the light reflects in the eye. It almost feels like a drawing; like Krupa is saying that photography can be as intimate and expressive as any brushstroke. There’s a tradition of portraiture here that reminds me of the black and white photos of artists like Mapplethorpe, but with a vulnerability that’s all its own. It’s like Krupa is whispering, "look closer, see what I see".