Streettogs Academy Assignment No. 5 “Fear” Results and Analysis

assignment 5 results

Our assignment no. 5 themed “Fear” came at an excellent timing. The Halloween period was ripe with opportunities on how to show our theme and it manifested well with the entries for this assignment. Excellent choice for an assignment from Assignment No. 4 winner, Florin Ghebosu.

I put a twist on how I present the selections for this assignment by identifying what type of fear is being shown or manifested on the images selected which may or may not be correct but hey my mistakes shouldn’t take away from the good images for this assignment. I think it would be fun so let’s check it out!

Harpaxophobia – Fear of being robbed

Florin Ghebosu
Photo by Florin Ghebosu

Let’s kick things off with an entry from Florin. The shadow is a good way to bring about mystery. This is a very cinematic looking image that seems lifted from a detective or noir movie when a robber stalks his next victim. The frame within a frame works and is balanced nicely by the small rectangular window on the left side. Excellent shot from Florin.

Ailurophobia – Fear of cats.

Cats are often attributed to witchcraft and wizardry. Perhaps the western superstition that black cats bring bad luck is the reason for that and of course, no one wants bad luck. Here are three treatments  showing that fear.

Guilherme Akio
Photo by Guilherme Akio

Guilherme shot this startled cat pointing upward as the cat looks like a towering figure. This isn’t usually a case for cats but it works here. The blurry and high contrast approach also adds to the theme.

Lucas Bernal
Photo by Lucas Bernal

I think what makes this one a good one is the jaw of the cat revealing the fangs. The blur always adds an interesting addition to Lucas’ image. This won’t be the last photo in this assignment in which blur would be used.

Mark Forman
Photo by Mark Forman

Mark Forman’s approach is simpler than the other two. Just a silhouette of a cat crossing his path. A photographic rule of thumb is to always check the background, for this case, the lines are not distracting and makes the cat stand out.

Gerascophobia – Fear of Growing old

Photo by Jaudzems Sandris
Photo by Jaudzems Sandris

Notice the old lady and the lego bag. Juxtapositions doesn’t always need to be a background print ad or graffiti and then an interesting figure at the foreground. It can be other elements as well. There is a case to be made that shot is a a but wide but it is an interesting sight among all the usual takes on the theme.

Pediophobia – Fear of Dolls and Mannequins

Photo by Jean Claude Essaitier
Photo by Jean Claude Essaitier

Jean Claude’s use of reflections gives a very haunting look to these mannequins. The eyes of the one on the foreground is haunting. The hairlight on the foreground mannequin is very nice as well. Good shot by Jean Claude.

Bathophobia – Fear of depths, long hallways, or deep pools or lakes

Photo by Mario Spedicato
Photo by Mario Spedicato

Mario’s photo here is one of the many black and white images we had for this assignment. Black and white was especially appropriate for this one because if the hoodie was of a different color, we may have a different look. Extra kudos on the timing on the lighting for this photo that cast the shadow of the kid but not Mario’s.

Bogyphobia – Fear of the the bogeyman

Photo by Helio Tomita
Photo by Helio Tomita

Helio always has good images every assignment. The use of the blur to capture this masked figure is great but notice that there are what I assume dust particles. (I’ll ask Helio) It adds a little bit to the image and goes to show that stuff like that shouldn’t hinder anyone from shooting.

Photo by Luca Rossi
Photo by Luca Rossi

The reaction of the man in this photo by Luca is fantastic. He shares the big wide eye of the zombie/bogeyman drawing behind him as if he knows there is someone behind him. Good one by Luca.

Photo by Alexander Siedler
Photo by Alexander Siedler

One of the few color photos in our selections for this assignment. Of course you have this ominous figure at the foreground but it wouldn’t work without the Jigsaw character (from the movie franchise Saw) at the background. Even without the knowledge of the character, this still works because it balances the frame.

Phasmophobia – Fear of Ghosts

Photo by Varanus Stomoxys
Photo by Varanus Stomoxys

I’m not sure how Varanus took this photo but the feel of the image is great. I personally think it looks like a still from a CCTV or those low res cameras due to the high noise and blur. Either way the simple composition but great look works.

Kocha Worapon
Photo by Kocha Worapon

Here’s another ghostly image this time coming from Kocha. Again, the technique of using blurs, contrasts, and grain makes for a wraith like image. I do like the fact that it looks like one leg too.

Photo by Verda Sigura
Photo by Verda Sigura

Verda’s image here is what always fooled folks in the past as an image of a ghost but to us photographers we know this can be achieved with a double exposure. Easy way to create a ghost image.

Photo by Arnold Despi
Photo by Arnold Despi

This image from Arnold reminds me of the twist that has been in used in movies like the Sixth Sense. Aside from the costumed lady, the kids are the only sharp figures as if they are the only ones who aren’t ghosts. Excellent technique by Arnold. 

Fear of Armageddon

Photo by Brian Brooks
Photo by Brian Brooks

The thing with this image by Brian is the fact that the guy holding the sign is the only one in the entire photo who thinks this way and at the same time he himself doesn’t look prepared. I think it is quite funny.

 

Fear of Authority

JD Shots
Photo by JD Shots

This is an intense capture by JD. From the face of the kid on the center, the gesture of the kid on the left, and the dangling handcuffs there are so many things happening here. The comment of Streettogs Academy member,  Arnold Despi sums up everything for this one:

Great moment captured in this scene. Not that I as a viewer is enjoying what I see, but more on the emotion, the fear that is strongly portrayed in this boy’s face. The uniformed men and the hand cuffs in this young boy’s eye is more than enough to break him down into tears. We as viewer’s can only speculate what has he done to deserve this? But reverse the situation and put ourselves in this boy’s shoes at this moment- feel the fear and not knowing what is next. The boy in the yellow shirt looking the other way is icing on the cake.

Hoplophobia – Fear of Guns

Enamul Kabir Rony
Photo by Enamul Kabir Rony

Most of street photography is about timing. Enamul nailed it with this one. One can argue that juxtapositions is the most overdone technique is all of street photography but when you nail it and get it right you can have something interesting like this one.

Pedophobia – Fear of children

Photo by Monika Jaskowska-Bablok
Photo by Monika Jaskowska-Bablok

If you have fear of Children, this photo might explain that fear. The expression on the child’s face is a winner. I think the timing and the moment was lit well.

Traumatophobia – Fear of injury

Photo by Elisabeth Broch
Photo by Elisabeth Broch

You got to appreciate how Elisabeth got close here. It’s a bit risky to cut off parts and bodies but it works on this one because of the contents of the frame. The clenched jaw, the hands reaching to the shoulder, and the man walking away. You already know the story based on those info alone.

Fear of your parents

Photo by Campa Bernar
Photo by Campa Bernar

Or for this image, a lack of fear towards your parent! But yeah, Campa got an interesting capture here. I especially like the C on the window as if grading the kid or parenting. I find the overall scene quirky.

Editor’s Choice

This is a very interesting assignment as we saw different executions on fear by others showing what is fear, manifestations of fear, and lack of fear. Thank you to those who joined and got into the assignment and exploring the possibilities.

Without further ado, Editor’s choice for this assignment:

Enamul Kabir Rony

Here’s his photograph:

Enamul Kabir Rony

Timing. Much of street photography is about timing and anticipation. The street art and figure of the man is a perfect placement. No wonder it also got the most likes among the group. Kudos to Enamul for nailing this one!

So Enamul! Email me at contact@agdemesaphoto.com and let’s talk about assignment no. 6! (And send me a link to your site or blog as well!)

Here are some of the honorable mentions:

JD Shots

Florin Ghebosu

Jean-Claude Essaitier

Helio Tomita

Closing Thoughts

Thank you for everyone’s patience despite the delays on my end. Thank you for continually participating and interacting with the group. As usual, all we hope is that you learn a thing or two or at least get to moving and shooting!

If you want to see the rest of the entries or join in the assignments, just go to the Streettogs Academy Facebook Group! (or read my introduction here)

Looking forward to our next assignment!

Cheers!