Mobile Photography – StreetWise Showcase – August 2016

Christine is quite a master of including quirky perspectives and characters into her photos.

What one may first notice in this enchanting summer capture are the colors – relaxing and soothing with the warm tan shades and pale turquoise offset by the pops of red (often invoking feelings of happiness) which immediately draws the viewer into the photo.

The strong intersecting foreground lines and the woman’s legs almost seem to be an ironic play on the compositional guideline of ‘the golden ratio’ where imaginary horizontal and vertical lines are concentrated in the center of the frame. The idea is that if you place points of interest along the lines or at the intersections that the photo becomes more balanced and will invite the viewer to interact with it more naturally. (This compositional guideline is found in many classical works of art).

The thick organic looking rope railing making up the strong horizontal lines exudes a feeling of being by the sea and also creates natural frames for the pops of red color.

On closer viewing, one notices that not only are the chairs and the woman’s shoes are red, but also her toenails and fingernails, as well as the type in the publication she is reading.

The video surveillance is written in Italian which gives the photo a sense of place and time – and is also a sign of our times, although the fact she is reading a publication and not staring into a digital device is very refreshing.  The woman’s expression, as she peers through her glasses at the viewer from under her floppy hat, adds intrigue to the photo.

Well seen, Christine – brava!

Isabel’s photo is a stunning minimalistic shot. The clean lines, the broad areas of color combined in simplicity is quite dramatic. The deep blue sky, lighter blue column and the grey and black foreground are beautifully contrasted by the imposing, starkly white wedge coming out of the right side of the frame.

The strong composition of triangular shapes is also wonderfully offset by the vertical column and its shadow cast upon the white wall.

The single pop of red clothing draws the viewer’s eye towards the subject who is quite perfectly balanced between the two vertical shapes.

On closer view, one notices the waves and seagull in the distance, and suddenly this minimalistic image has a lovely seaside feel that invites the viewer to want to know where this beautiful place is.

Well done, Isabel!

Albion’s ‘Dwelling Among Dead Machines’ at once transports the viewer to an other worldly place, a place of magic.

This photograph almost seems a dream. As if the yellow brick road has made a river-like detour snaking its way through a mysterious city into the distance. The sun is high in the sky, casting a brilliant light setting the winding path aglow. The single figure, umbrella above head, is accompanied on her journey only by her own shadow, the figure itself is representative  stick-like — and onto it’s fleeting form the viewer is invited to imagine where she might be headed. One gets the sense it is into this city of shadows to Dwell Among the Dead Machines as Albion so poetically calls his photograph.

I love the stark contrast of light and shadow that imbue this image with mystery and drama. One can just make out the square shapes of windows on buildings and one wonders, does anyone else dwell there? In the distance, there are a few trees suggesting perhaps some signs of life other than the solitary subject. One can only wonder. And also, where is this place? Is it real? Or has Albion somehow managed to conjure this image up from one of his dreams. These are some of the questions and thoughts Albion’s beautiful photo evoke. So very creative, Albion. Bravo!

Joshua’s The ‘Face of’ seems rather like a ‘face off’. One immediately wonders, who is this person? What’s with the relentless stare? What does he want? The fact that the main subject is right there  so close — is mesmerising.

As the viewer, we have the luxury of being able to stare back. To try to get to know this person through the almost invisible shield between viewer and subject, but because it is simultaneously revealing and obscuring we can’t quite quench this curiosity. That’s what makes this wonderful image so alluring. The artistic twist turns this street portrait into a mystery the viewer wants to solve. Who is this intense, solitary young man whose face is almost obfuscated in the gritty city? We want to know. Well done, Joshua

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