Definately gives off the feeling of despair. I really think that the lighting is good. focus and clarity are also good. The fact that this is on stairs sets this apart from some other similar shots, which is a good thing, but in a way, my eyes want to travel down the stairs which leads away from the subject. not a huge problem at all, just an observation. nice shot. good luck in the challenge.
Great shot here. So simple but so much impact. I love the pastel kind of colours you got in this photo. The way you have cropped this photo in a long portrait style really does it justice. Maybe it would have been better to have some writing on the paper though, it looks as if nothing is written on it.
Nice composition and use of negative space. I would have thought that, symbolically anyway, the stairs leading down would lead to darkness rather than light?