The Unseen Face of Grief

• Prize
  Honorable Mention
• Photographer
  Zuhal H. Erbas, Turkey
• Date of Photograph
  2003
• Website
  https://zuhalerbas.com
• Instagram
  https://instagram.com/zuhal_h_erbas

The growing weight of absence consumes the self like a black hole. Even as the inner light appears extinguished, a surrounding halo persists, compelling continuation.


The process of self-recovery, however painful, emits a quiet radiance, at least to the observer. For the grieving subject, something has irrevocably changed; they are no longer who they once were.


In eight works from this series of ten photographs, long exposure and light interventions symbolise the effort to emerge from inner labyrinths, tracing fragile paths toward renewal.

Born in 1981, Zuhal H. Erbas developed an early interest in photography and began exploring the medium during her youth as an amateur photographer. Driven by a desire to cultivate a more sophisticated understanding of photography from both technical and aesthetic perspectives, she enrolled at Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in 2003 to study photography.

Following her graduation, Zuhal chose not to pursue photography as a commercial profession, instead continuing her practice through experimental and personal work.

Awards 1) Finalist - Dodho Portrait Awards 2026
2) Gold Winner - London Photography Awards 2026 (Landscape Category)
3) Longlisted - BBA One Shot Awards Spring 2026
4) Honorable Mention - International Photography Awards 2026 (Analogue)