De Beers explores the interplay between light and form in the 'Shadows' campaign, a monochromatic project centered on fine jewellery. Photographer Paul Scala employs a variety of technical approaches, ranging from high-contrast chiaroscuro lighting to deliberate motion blur and multiple exposure, to abstract the relationship between the human silhouette and the structural details of the pieces.
Art direction by Richard Pang provides a minimalist framework that allows for graphic shadowplay and extreme depth of field, effectively isolating the diamond pavé settings and ornate drop earrings. Styled by Naomi Miller with makeup by Jimmy Owen Jones, model Candice Shepstone appears throughout in a series of close-up portraits that emphasize texture and tone rather than narrative. The work leans into a moody, surreal aesthetic, utilizing monochrome grading to highlight the reflective qualities of the jewellery against both light and dark studio backgrounds.
