Nudes nominee

Each of us carries our own burdens—worries, struggles, silent sorrows. For this woman, life feels as though it’s closing in, the weight of daily challenges pressing harder with every breath. She is caught between two relentless cave walls, her feet braced against the left, her back pushing against the right, straining to hold her ground against the crushing forces of nature. The darkness surrounding her reflects the heaviness of her thoughts, yet from behind, light seeps in from the cave’s entrance—a reminder that even in the deepest shadows, there is hope. As Leonard Cohen said, *“There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.”* No matter how overwhelming the struggle, light will always find a way.

Ruben Bellanger is a fine art photographer whose work explores the profound connection between the human form and the natural world. Through a poetic fusion of monochrome photography and environmental portraiture, their art captures themes of vulnerability, self-discovery, and the elemental grace of the body in nature.

Drawing inspiration from classical fine art traditions and modern minimalism, Ruben Bellanger uses light, shadow, and texture to reveal the raw beauty of both subject and landscape. Their approach often places the figure in silent dialogue with rugged terrains—stone, foliage, and forest light—emphasizing the delicate balance between strength and surrender.

At the heart of their work lies a pursuit of natural grace: the pure, unembellished beauty of the human form intertwined with the earth's organic textures. Whether in the quiet solitude of a forest floor or nestled within ancient rock formations, their subjects echo a timeless narrative of introspection and spiritual connection.

With a background in Interior design, product design and graphic design, Ruben Bellanger continues to push the boundaries of conceptual fine art photography, inviting viewers to explore themes of presence, vulnerability, and the profound serenity found in nature’s embrace.