These 54 Eerie Photos By Aakaash Bali Bring Nostalgic Comfort To Some Or A Sense Of Unease To Others
Something about your eerie hometown street at night has haunted people for ages. The way darkness can be the visual representation for silence. Most fear the dark, but artist Aakaash Bali finds a very different comfort in the loss of light.
Like most artists – the fascination with their craft started back in their younger years. He took his dad’s camera and never gave it back. When the new digital cameras were first making their appearances, one advertisement caught Aakaash’s eye – and It changed how he would take photos forever. One image the companies used as a nighttime photo of Manhattan. “I looked at that photo and just thought – ‘I didn’t know cameras could take photos like this at night,’” he remarked.
His current pleasure project is the “Shadow District.” This project throws you back in time by placing you in the dark, eerily lit settings that you may miss otherwise. Looking at these photos brings a nostalgic comfort to some or an unsettling sense of “I feel like I wasn’t supposed to be here.”
When asked why he chooses to photograph the night rather than a well-lit natural light scene, he responds, “Darkness gives the setting a sense of silence so that the subject can make all the noise.”
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I really like how the sky is blotted gray in a way in which the sign both stands out and blends in.
I find that message to actually be somewhat comforting. Then again, there are those two odd looking structures in the background on the right...
I like the foreboding nature of the entire scene. It suggests that something is going to happen.
If stepping through that door doesn't take me to an alternate universe, I want my money back.
have any of you guys watched k-12 (directed by melanie martinez)? this is kinda like that ending scene in the movie, except this is blue loll
It probably is--this is near where I live. Unless he managed to find that car.
Load More Replies...Psychics are frauds and grief vampires. They prey on people that want to speak to their dead loved ones. They give lies and false hope while price gouging their victims. This fraud should be outlawed and criminalized.
It can't be criminalized as long as other fraudsters like "faith healers" are also legal.
Load More Replies...That looks like the kind of thing where you walk in and a monster comes and kills you.
That looks like a psychic reading place where once you go in you don't come back out the same.
i like how the snow is falling in the pic, it gives everything a softer look
Right now, this feels like the right place to stand outside and have a smoke. It's probably because I'm trying to quit smoking. :D
Amazing movie I could see this being in that one
Load More Replies...When people are arguing about Jesus when in reality it's only in the photo because it's neon
jesus is not real but i value the opinion of others
If god were real and could do anything, why would he need people and modern science to make neon signs to advertise for him? If god really wanted to communicate, and he were all-powerful, then just communicate directly with the population. More evidence that god likely doesn't exist.
That looks comforting. Nothing like finding a neon diner on a road trip!
That's not realistic! Should be a vacant lot with some refrigerator boxes...
A random man t-poses in the background and others join him in this weird gathering. All are wearing black......
You know after playing some horror games seeing something like this out in the dark gives you comfort though you know something terrible also will happen in it.
There were three, but Jimmy Hoffa and his pals already left.
Load More Replies...Are we sure that's a motel? Because I feel like it's probably not a motel.
It's a motel that rents rooms by the hour for very special activities.
Load More Replies...I wonder if that woman knew that the photographer was taking her picture.
Being a New Yorker, the sight of palm trees and pizza disturbs me...
That angle makes the sign look like it's on the building in the foreground. And much smaller than it really is.
Hmm... Pizza, deli, Italian ice. I'm guessing this isn't a Chinese neighborhood.
I used to work in one of those. If the boss ever saw that many lights on after hours, he'd have a cow!
Wait. Are we on the inside looking out? In that case the sign would be backwards from the street... If we're outside looking in, what's all that stuff doing on the sidewalk after they closed? It's a conundrum I tell ya! I do like that neon diamond though, reminds me of Pink Floyd...
Cool! I don't know what they do in there, but I'd love to go see! Would be great if they could light up that doodad on the roof!
Like the sign! I'm guessing that is a reliable repair shop. Clean and necessary equipment in the window, lights on means valuable tools inside, inspection station is a good sign, visibly displayed phone and licence numbers, and clean concrete in front. I know my repair shops!
Wow! That's a real nice neon find! There were a few near me that I wished I could get somehow. A giant neon bowling ball and pin, a drive-in move entrance sign, and a neon Mobil gas station pegasus logo, not to mention the wall sign at my shop... vintage-mo...7729c4.jpg
Enjoyed these. To me they're like a little oasis in a lonely place.
That's a really beautiful way of thinking about it
Load More Replies...A lot of them seem to be taken near where I live--I recognized quite a few places. Queens, NY/Long Island.
Load More Replies...Aakaash has been a great friend and mentor since I started Photography. His work has inspired me to be less about content and more about the quality of my art. I'm glad I got to write this article to highlight his work!
I've been following Aakaash's work for a long time, he's a great photographer and retoucher. Keep on walking Aakaash Bali!
He's on a upward streak! He's really been doing well with his style!
Load More Replies...This is so cool! It gave me so much inspiration for writing, now a have a dozen story ideas rolling around in my brain.
That's awesome! I always love being inspired by other artists!
Load More Replies...A lot of these photos just had a scary horror movie vibe to them, but they are still good photos nonetheless.
Enjoyed these. To me they're like a little oasis in a lonely place.
That's a really beautiful way of thinking about it
Load More Replies...A lot of them seem to be taken near where I live--I recognized quite a few places. Queens, NY/Long Island.
Load More Replies...Aakaash has been a great friend and mentor since I started Photography. His work has inspired me to be less about content and more about the quality of my art. I'm glad I got to write this article to highlight his work!
I've been following Aakaash's work for a long time, he's a great photographer and retoucher. Keep on walking Aakaash Bali!
He's on a upward streak! He's really been doing well with his style!
Load More Replies...This is so cool! It gave me so much inspiration for writing, now a have a dozen story ideas rolling around in my brain.
That's awesome! I always love being inspired by other artists!
Load More Replies...A lot of these photos just had a scary horror movie vibe to them, but they are still good photos nonetheless.
