The project – entitled Eidolon, meaning a spectre or phantom in human form – consists of four images all visualising real people’s very real nightmares.

Upon conducting a survey appealing for members of the public to share their nightmares with her, Orlinski began the process of sifting through responses and starting to visualise them. From being buried alive to home invasion, the project saw many dark tales.

Orlinski’s images create a strong sense of unease and discomfort which mimic the feelings one has after waking from a nightmare. There is an important connection between real and surreal; each image has predominantly believable features but with the unsettling hints that something is wrong. This parallel is a metaphor for that feeling in a dream where you know something isn’t right but you can’t always place it at the time.

There is evidence of deep research and thinking to Eidolon. When trying to visualise nightmares it would be all too easy to jump to gory and shocking imagery. However, these images have an element of psychological fear to them. They evoke a very real connection between the viewer and the image. The subject matter paired with the almost animated hands make for an eerie series of images.

This is Orlinski’s first fine art photography series. She is currently in her last year of studying BA (Hons) Communication Design at Gray’s School of Art in Scotland. Orlinski has previously done both photography and design projects and enjoys working across both fields. [Official Website]

There will definitely be more fine art photography to come from Becky Orlinski.