A single guttering candle...

... beckons you, dares you, to mount the rough sawn stairway to the inky blackness beyond.

But he who lit the candle - the dark one whose dank odour lingers still in the cold damp air - did he light it on his arrival or his departure?

The difference is the difference between sanity and a perpetual scream in the night.

Has to be viewed on black!

[Maggiemae]

With this sort of picture - you don't know if you are looking up the stairs or down the stairs! Either way is 'no way' on my behalf!

[karengail]

I agree with Maggie- I'm not goin either way! Fabulous shot and mood with the single candle lighting.

[Brigette]

this is a scary shot!

[Kerri Michaels]

nice

[Susan]

Do dark and gloomy! Great capture and POV, Richard.

[Graeme Stevens]

Ooooh spooky, I like it - excellent processing as always

[gloria jones]

Fabulous on black...great light and spooky atmosphere, neat wall textures

[Richard Sayer]

@seattlite Thanks Gloria... and that wall texture is a stone wall built around 1750!

[Frank Hymus]

Eerie. Great shot and great contrasts.

[Joan Robillard]

I almost passed it by wondering why some one posted such a black picture and then I saw it was yours so felt certain there would be more to it then a quick glance had shown. Fab on black - a must.

[Yeshanghai]

Gorgeous shot was amazing textures, lighting and POV. Fav

[April]

Oh yes ... definitely on black!

[Hope D Jennings]

I love this! It is absolutely enthralling!fav!

[Rosan]

You're as good a storyteller as a photographer! Wonderful dark mysterious shot!

[Kate]

Really cool, it is very scary, especially with the description. I think you had a lot of fun with this one!

[kali]

well this is awesome

[Debs Stott]

Yes, definitely on black, very mysterious and great story

[Margo Sayer]

Excellent...especially as I know where this scary spot is.

[Jill Hempsall]

Wow! Great shot, great detail, great narrative. Congrats on PP too.

[Danny G.]

This could easily be used for the cover of a murder or horror mystery book. Fabulous shot.

[Amy Kirk]

Are you sure you are not also an author, Richard? Way to set the scene! I for one would have to explore. The invitation is too daring... too luring and too strong! Consequences be what may. Very nice low lighting capture!

[Ingrid]

This lighting is fantastic :)

[Pat Knowles]

Intriguing & a lovely moody shot. Excellent low light.

[john morley]

Graeme Stevens could be lurking down there....

[Yolanda]

Great capture!

[David]

Great stuff Richard! So moody. Fav!

[Gillian]

Looks so moody, especially on black. Fabulously mysterious shot. Fav.

[Maurisa]

Cool idea. Really well executed. Nicely done.

[Francoise]

hmmm. I guess we already knew that you had a poetic soul.

[Margaret Obey]

Amazing on black. Thought provoking capture and words.