At first glance, the work of Finnish photographer Juha Helminen evokes a lingering darkness that is penetrating to the fragile and naive viewer.

His "Invisible Empire" series painstakingly implies themes of fragility, honor, fear and an almost omniscient sense of duty and accomplishment.

I can't dismiss the fact that I see no pain in these images. A calm form of loneliness perhaps, but a complete absence of agony. It's the first time I've ever seen one without the other.