Stunning black and white long-exposure images capture the intimate moments of couples as they sleep. Dutch photographer Paul Schneggenburger is behind the project ‘The sleep of the beloved’ which sees volunteer couples and even families sleeping in a bed under a long-exposure camera. Paul began the project in 2010 as part of his diploma at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna and it has since morphed into an ongoing and ever-expanding endeavour. He wanted to see the 'nocturnal lovers dance' and glimpse the unconscious interactions that happen in relationships. The intimate shots see couples arms flung over each other and hands clasping, while the long-exposure gives the photos a blurred and fluid look. The couples, who can volunteer to be a part of the project through Paul’s website, sleep for one night in Paul's studio apartment in a bed with black sheets and duvet. Each picture of lovers is a single long-time exposure lit only by candlelight taken over six hours. So far around 80 couples, and even some families, have taken part. Paul sets up each exposure to run between midnight and 6:00 am. ‘At no point in the exposure am I in the room myself,’ Paul explains, ‘I just light the candles and set up the stage.’
(by Katy Winter)
