Henri Prestes’ Haunting, Dark World

There are no rainbows and unicorns in Henri Prestes' universe. "Stuff of nightmares" is a way more apt description.

If you’ve been following this site for a while, you know that I’m a big fan of the Swedish painter Simon Stålenhag. His dystopian, alternative science fiction universes, the one set in 1980’s Sweden in particular, appeals to me in a way no other art do.

Recently I also discovered the works of Portuguese photographer Henri Prestes. From my perspective, I’d describe his style as Stålenhag sans the science fiction, but with a considerable addition of creepiness. Like Stålenhag, Prestes also use lighting to set the mood. But unlike Stålenhag, Prestes does all his work out in the field, with a camera.

Working mostly at night, the photographer roams Portuguese villages with his camera and his 35mm lens. Prestes only goes out in certain weather conditions, and fog and rain is his favorite working environment.

Winter landscape from a rural village.

A group of old, parked cars.

A lone person walking on the side of the road in the rain. The taillights of a car is visible in the background.

A person standing in the distance in a rainy landscape.

Long expsure of a foggy landscape and a road. A car has passed, the taillights exposed on the photograph.

A road through a forest during the night. A car has either just passed or is parked in the distance, and the tail lights are visible.

You can find more of Henri Prestes’ magnificent work on his website.


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