Streets Ahead – Fifteenth Edition
Welcome to the fifteenth edition of Streets Ahead, a weekly column dedicated to women mobile street photographers. Each week we have a curator review all of the work submitted to our Flickr group, and present a few of their favorite shots along with some thoughtful commentary about the technique, composition, subject matter, and a short description of why they thought each photo was special. We also present a sampling of all the work submitted in a showcase video.
This week Streets Ahead has been curated by Cara Gallardo Weil, Cara is also an Admin along with JQ Gaines and myself for our dedicated Streets Ahead Facebook group, see here. Cara’s work has been exhibited and featured in many different galleries and magazines throughout the world, and recently she was showcased in Hipstamatic’s popular magazine “Snap.” You can read more about Cara in our recent interview with her here.
We select all the images for the column from the Streets Ahead Flickr group. To be considered for next week, please submit your best shots here and please do join in our Facebook Streets Ahead group for discussions (who, what, when, where, why, and how) about Street Photography.
Your enthusiasm and support for this collective has been tremendous. If you are a woman street photographer please join our growing community!
“I want to see! by Vivi Hanson Sacerdote (Veevs3)
First of all, I just love the colours in this shot. Although we are only seeing backs and legs, every one is different – shoes, and colours of the lower body – bare legs with turquoise shorts on the right, dark jeans, rust coloured shorts and paler denim at the end. The angle of the shot creates a dynamic, with the lines of the railings adding a graphic element. I love that Vivi has caught the dog up on its hind legs, seemingly trying to peer through the space in between the two people. The scene leaves me wanting to know more – what are they looking at and where are they? Wonderful processing too, painterly without being distracting.
“It’s been a Hard Day’s Night” by Liz Traynor (Ferguscat 1)
(Liz’s caption: “Nothing like a gallon of OJ and a sleep in the shade to recover from the night before.”)
Beautifully caught -– such great timing with the girl snuggled over her boyfriend, hoodie on and hiding from the world. The gallon of OJ is almost vital to the story – we’ve all been there at some point right? Just wondering where the food is….
I love the fact that Liz captured the perfect moment with the vintage car in the background. An interesting juxtaposition matched perfectly with her choice of processing to give the image more of a vintage feel. Well seen Liz!
“Blind Spot” by Catherine Restivo
Such a poignant image. A quiet composition which seems to echo the mood of the subject. She is perfectly balanced in the light against the darkness of the subway. I ask myself, is she bored with waiting for the train, or is she engrossed in a jumble of thoughts, or like many of us, is she just staring blankly in to space, having a quiet moment before the noise of the train comes to disturb her peace? Beautiful processing with a vintage feel to it.
“Marching for the Silenced” by Tracy Renehan
This is a classic case of ‘a picture paints a thousand words’. Tracy’s photograph of the subject with black tape over his mouth and wearing a crucifix is compelling. The title and the crowd behind tell us that this is a protest, but we want to know more. What is the subject’s personal story that connects him to the protest (I later read that this shot was taken at Stockholm Pride supporting Russian Homosexuals)? Very up close and personal. Great shot Tracy!
‘Untitled’ by Geri Centoze
Very up close and personal! I feel as if I am going to bump right into this man – which wouldn’t be a good thing as he is using a cane! Wonderful expression on his face – not entirely displeasure – but the position of his hand in the left hand corner almost makes it look like he wants to grab the camera in distaste… Perhaps Geri you can fill us in on his reaction to you?
I love vintage feel of this, with the sepia tones and the blurry background. It really keeps the focus on his face. Dark and broody against the lightness of his suit. Wonderful portrait.
SA Showcase
Cara Gallardo Weil
Cara is a Graphic Designer and amateur photographer with a passion for mobile photography. Born in Hong Kong to Filipino parents who moved there in the early 60s to work in publishing, her early life was spent in Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines. She studied graphic design in London and spent more than 20 years here before returning to Hong Kong, where she currently resides. Cara brings to her street photography a wonderful international and cultural perspective.
9 Comments
Stef LP
Yes!!!
Cyndy Johnson
Thank you so very much for including my image in your showcase! All the talented artists here are just amazing. I am really enjoying your “Streets Ahead” group. Thank you so much!
Geri
Cara thanks so much for including my image in this showcase. I wish the story of the photo was as exciting as you perceived it to be. The real story is that I was at a garage sale and this gentleman was also having a look around. As soon as I saw him I knew I had to photograph him…the jacket, the scarf, the cap! Holding my iPhone at the hip I approached the other side of the table where he was looking at items for sale. Just as he reached to pick one of them up I snapped the photo and simultaneously he looked up at me. Just lucky I guess!
Cara Gallardo Weil
Oh Geri, thanks for filling us in! lol… well you captured a great moment there! It allows us as the viewer to weave our own stories 🙂
lee atwell
love reading the story behind your great capture, Geri! great feeling and his reaching hand adds so much <3
Tracey Renehan
Fantastic showcase. Many thanks Cara for including my image in your showcase and for your comments. It is so valuable to hear what people see in an image and it is something I learn a lot from. Russia recently passed a law to ban gay ‘propaganda’. It is now illegal to equate hetrosexual and homosexual relationships and distribute gay rights material in Russia. The Swedish marchers supported the rights of Russian homosexuals. Congratulations to all selected.
Cara Gallardo Weil
Thank you Tracy for contributing to the group!
lee atwell
wonderful images! wonderful selection, cara, and congratulations to all! i enjoy ‘streets ahead’ so much and am very honored to have a photo included! thank you!
Cara Gallardo Weil
Thank you Lee! And thanks for continuing to contribute to the group! 🙂