Photography has been made in studio, ISO50, 200, F3,5. 50mm.

I wanted to create unsettling, dreamy-like atmosphere that is a bit out of a healthy point of view. Please let me know, if that has been achieved here more or less :) And also, how do you find the light in here.

Hi Andrzej. 

Whilst I deeply appreciate many aspects of 1x.Com, one of my gripes is how similar; how predictable some images are, despite the high technical prowess demonstrated. Whilst your image demonstrates a similar high-level of technical application, I cannot think anyone could accuse it of being cliche.

It is a terrifying vision of some manic Nazi, with no purpose, save manic hate. (The axe-blur is an excellent touch). The blood/fire red eyes are superb (perhaps we should stop telling people to avoid photographic  "red-eye!") and the raw hunk of red meat, clad in tree bark is another inspired twist of meaningful mania. Back to the axe and t'other tool - they are horrific but superb extensions of the Nazi's hands. With those, the table and his whole posture, he seems to be about to leap out of the image to attack us. The background and his attire are equally brilliantly chosen. The "low-key luminosity" nature of this image works so well. I do pity your model, however. He's probably a really decent chap who enjoys walking his dog and making scones: did you portray him?

There is nothing, absolutely nothing whatsoever, I would change about this. I have never dreamt-up such an excellent image - but, even if I had, the skill you have deployed to translate an idea into this terrifying vision for us all to contemplate is absolutely first-class - beyond my abilities, for sure.

My one suggestion is your title. "Scream" is also Munch's title for his famous series - and, yes, I do see the homage which you have paid, here - well done. But, for this particular image, I do wonder if it works? Then again (1), in addition to the Munch link, it does suggest that, inside every insane axe-man (and all other tyrants) might be the screams of people unable to express themselves any other way; perhaps we should have sympathy, after all? Then again (2), people say the Vikings had a "bad press" - but I still regard them as murdering swines.

Great image, more complex than it might, at first, seem. Wonderful work, thank you... I'm just going to back out of here, very carefully but quite quickly! Bye.

Hi, and thanks a lot for your complex and full description :) 
Let me tell you... it is picture of me (under my right plam I've hidden the remote of my camera :) ) And, as a matter of fact, I do enjoy the sipmle pleasures of live, yet, as probably lots of us, have also a bit darker mindset sometimes ;)
And, last but not least... I am going to come up wit a serie of this, rather grungy photographies. A bit different model, bit different surrounding, but similar feeling is what I would like to achieve. Please, keep fingers crossed for me, and once again - big thanks for your opinion, it really means a lot to me :)

so... A little different setup, but still me below ;) 

Andrzej,

Thank you for participating in Critique Forum with these  two images. 

You wrote that you "wanted to create unsettling, dreamy-like atmosphere that is a bit out of a healthy point of view." and asked if that had been achieved. 

Yes.  The image is unsettling.  The 'shock value' is off the scale because of the expression, the devil-like red eyes,  sharp tools, military helmet, strong lighting and contrast, and the black background.   It all works to shock viewers.  Some may find a message, meaning, or story in the image.  Some might see meaningless sensationalism. 

You obviously worked hard on the image.  It is technically very well crafted.  

I appreciate conceptual photography, but, being lazy, prefer those images that are relatively easy to read.  'Scream' isn't easy to understand.  With conceptual work the viewer must start by believing that the artist is trying to express something, even if it's not something that can't be put into words.  Often a 'meaning' doesn't appear immediately, and some time and effort is required before it is discovered.   A perfect title can intrigue viewers and make them look and think longer.  

Having pondered 'Scream' for a while now I feel that some meaning has begun to appear.  It may not be the one you wanted the photo to express, not the one other viewers might get, and it may be too simple, but it brings to mind an old song, ♫ Sympathy for the Devil ♫, which seemed to be about the ugly and violent side of human nature, and how there is a lot of harsh evil in the world, with some of it in each of us.  

. . . . just my 2 cents worth. 

. . . . . Steven,  senior critic

Andrzej,

If you intend to present your photos in curation you will have to remove your signature / watermark. Curation is anonymous. Please read the FAQ for more details.

I notice you have several published and awarded photos in your portfolio bearing the same signature / watermark. Sometimes curators are not attentive enough, normally they have to reject your photo or ask for a re-upload.

Kind regards,

Luc

Steven, Luc

Thank you so much for the opinions. Deeply appreciated, and will be taken under consideration certainly.
About the watermark - you are 100% right, I didn't know about this rule, apparently I missed it back then. Will be changed from now on ;)

Best Regards

Andrzej