The Stuff of Nightmares.

[MrNewportCustom]

WARNING: If you dislike modern horror movies because they scare you too much or you find them disturbing, then I recommend you don't follow this link.

I wish I had the money to do pictures of this caliber, but not as creepy. lol

Joshua Hoffine

I like the monster under the bed picture.


Lee

 

[Lulu-in-Ny]

I think that it's important to separate the talent and artistry from the subject matter. He's definitely talented, and I, for one, like his work. (Oooh...look at the Goth in me rear it's ugly head...) It unnerves me, and anything that can create a reaction- positive or negative- is Art in my book. It's just not ever going to be everyone's cup of tea, especially since so much of it involves children. I find the one of the girl in bed with her mother the most upsetting, but it's the one I looked at the longest. Very cool.

 

[Warbaby]

Beautiful work, absolutely beautiful! I wish I could afford one of his prints. If I could, it would be the little girl on the cellar stairs or the clown behind the clothesline. They make me smile, and that's one of my primary criteria for art.

 

[carebear]

Shallow Grave got several looks from me.

I like 'em.

 

[Miss 1929]

Creepy and sweet at the same time.

 

[Lady Day]

I love the dark fairy tale aspect to them. Love that kind of stuff.

Its good to see photo illustrations get such elite treatment.

LD

 

[LolitaHaze]

*SQUEE* I love this! One day I will be able to afford a portrait for my home! I just don't know which one delights me the most!

 

[RIOT]

Excellent work. "Balloons" get my vote, and "Uncle Sam" is brilliant. I would like to have either one of those hanging in my dark basement someday.

 

[Forgotten Man]

The MONSTER in my closet...

That scares me more then ANYTHING:

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!

 

[Rockapin-up]

Those are some awsome photos, and I would love to own a couple.....except what's with the little girl in her underwear, I know it's done in good taste but isn't that border line kiddie porn or am I just sick in the head.............................I'm sick in the head aren't I:eusa_doh:

 

[A.R. McVintage]

Those are some awsome photos, and I would love to own a couple.....except what's with the little girl in her underwear, I know it's done in good taste but isn't that border line kiddie porn or am I just sick in the head.............................I'm sick in the head aren't I:eusa_doh:

I don't think so. There's supposed to be some sort of immoral sexual and/or abusive vibe to them; the blocks in the one with the girl on her bed and the hands coming out underneath it spell "daddy no."

 

[Lulu-in-Ny]

I don't think so. There's supposed to be some sort of immoral sexual and/or abusive vibe to them; the blocks in the one with the girl on her bed and the hands coming out underneath it spell "daddy no."

Well spotted. I never even noticed that. Gives it a whole other meaning...

 

[lyburnum]

I hate to be the one to say it, but I can't really say that I'm a fan of these photos. Despite their intentions of being 'scary' I find them oddly mundane. I think my main problem with them is that by re-enacting nightmare situations, they actually leave nothing up to the viewer. My imagination is closed down by the photos as they answer all my questions for me. Add to that the fact I find the actors expressions mostly unconvincing and hopefully you'll understand why I am less than impressed. There seem to be quite a lot of photographers these days using the macabre in photographs, combined with staging and adobe photoshop, so personally I feel that to really stand out amongst the crowd the images have to be something special - which I don't believe these are.

The images are in a similar vein to that of Gregory Crewdson, but I find Crewdson's work more successful on the basis that it uses the viewers imagination to complete the picture. I'm sure many of you are well aware of Crewdson's work, but for those that are not here are a few of his most popular images:

I am not saying that Crewdson is the epitome of staged photography by any means, but simply that in this particular area of photography his images are a lot stronger.

 

[Down2BDapper]

Very nice. They remind me of the old "Night Gallery" paintings.

 

[Barz51]

I Googled Joshua Hoffine and found his, I assume, new site. I agree the pictures are too obvious, for lack of a better word. They are done, there is nothing left to wonder about. I like some of Gregory Crewdson's work but much of it, to me, looks too fake. I think that is the result of a lot of "photoshoping" afterward.
Our own Hargist does some very nice work that ranges from serene to creepy. As evidence I submit this thread http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=21389&page=36

The carnival ticket booth still intimidates me!

 

[tuppence]

Vintage scary photos

I find those old photos/posters of the men building the Empire State? scary. Say no to heights

 

[Down2BDapper]

To me though, the scariest images in the world can be found in the "Scary stories to tell in the dark" books by Alvin Swartch. When I was a kid those books were actually banned from our elementary school library just for the illistrations alone. To this day looking at some of them still makes me afraid to close my eyes at night.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, here are a few choice ones that undoubtedly scarred me for life as a child:

If you think they are disturbing out of context, just look at them after reading the stories they go to.

 

[Sydney Loren]

To me though, the scariest images in the world can be found in the "Scary stories to tell in the dark" books by Alvin Swartch. When I was a kid those books were actually banned from our elementary school library just for the illistrations alone. To this day looking at some of them still makes me afraid to close my eyes at night.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, here are a few choice ones that undoubtedly scarred me for life as a child:

If you think they are disturbing out of context, just look at them after reading the stories they go to.

I had that book when I was younger and hated the images, they used to give me nightmares. Actually just seeing the ones you posted brings back bad memories, hahaha.

 

[Imahomer]

Hmmmmm... Now THAT is different. I wish I hadn't looked at them just before I went to sleep.

 

[Down2BDapper]

Yeah, and they're children's books.


They're CHILDREN'S books!