Mobile Photography – StreetWise – Second Challenge Results – Shadows

Ile’s beautiful photo immediately draws the viewer into the scene with the curved and flowing composition of the ‘umbrella stream’ overhead and the bold circular shadows below. There is almost an illusion of being underwater looking up through the sparkly light-filled circles above. A wonderful and unexpected juxtaposition is to see umbrellas in a street photo that are so luminous and filled with light.

There are so many circles and curves in the photo, including the umbrellas, furniture, trees (some with legs) that are all punctuated by the people walking into the rectangle in the center of the photo – that helps to create the depth and stunning quality of this great radial composition. Well seen, Ile!

Roger’s photo stands out as it illustrates the use of indoor shadows in street photography, and here, combined with a silhouette. The low contrast adds such a moody and mysterious quality that allows the viewer to feel like they are in this club near the stage listening to the riffs. The gradation of grey tones and the shapes of the shadows (including hats and glasses) of the other musicians and their instruments that frame the musician in the foreground are stunning. The light on the instrument to the right draws the viewer to the main subject adding a bit of shimmer that gives the photo depth and makes it come alive – fabulous, Roger!

Rene creates a dynamic scene. The colors are bright and the shadows are dramatic. So are the silhouettes. Right away the eye is drawn to the main subject; the silhouette of the woman whose red hair pops against the color of the blue sky. That’s what’s so interesting — silhouettes as solid shapes are often a single color, and yet the woman is more than just a shadowed outline, she is made alive, and even mysterious, by being able to see the unusual brightness of her hair.

Added to this is a strong architectural component and perspective. While one is allured by this graphic portrait, the top of woman’s red head meets the lines of the buildings so one’s eye is drawn in and runs along to the distance to the architectural silhouette of a church – its dome rising into the blue sky – then back again.

Rene’s composition is made all the stronger by her use of repeated silhouettes and shadows: from the main subject in the foreground, to the church in the background and a building across the way, to another figure just behind the main one. These simplified elements are arranged beautifully within the perspective of the architecture and the street. This it is a lively street scene for all of its color and dramatic outlines. Nicely done, Rene!

Dominique’s Untiled lady is a unique image, departing slightly from traditional street photography. Its artistic take on something so simple as a bird’s eye view of a woman walking is what draws the viewer in. From the color of her red coat to her stylish black high heels, at once one gets the idea this is a woman of fashion, perhaps elegance. There is a sense of something lively going on in her gait. We wonder from the long shadow can she be dancing? If so. What has had made her dance? Or, are her steps hurried and long? Is she in a rush to get somewhere? We are intrigued and want to know more than what her shadow is revealing. Who is she? These are the wonderful questions one entertains when viewing Dominique’s fun photograph. Well captured, Dominique!

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