Here we are once again with the results and analysis! Things have been going fine in the group as I have recently posted new policies and updated the criteria to further clear the mission/vision of what streettogs academy really is. As we go along, I hope people get a lot out of the group and at the same time, enjoy the experience of photographing in the streets. We had around 150++ entries for the “Direction” that was set by Assignment 5 editor’s choice, Enamul Kabir Rony. Cheers again to Enamul for the great assignment theme.

As always, thank you to everyone who participated and followed the guidelines of the group. The group is slowly building a good base and I’m starting to notice very active folks in there and for that, I thank you! Without further ado, here are some of the note worthy photographs of the assignment.

Many photographers photographed one or two arrow signs for this assignment but Muhammad Imam here took one with a bunch of arrows. Sometimes looking for the right place helps where you can shoot. Finding places like this makes me want to stay there all day and just play and work with the scene.

One of my pet peeves in life is when folks do not follow directions. I just try to shrug those off but there are times that the situation is so ridiculous, that you will get a laugh out of it. This is one of those by Fabricio. Simple juxtaposition and the light coming from the right looks sweet as well.

Arnold’s image here shows man and man’s best friend. The man and who I assume is his dog is going to a certain place and the fact that they are both mid-stride is good timing.

Direction can also show where something would flow. The composition by Maria slowly makes your eyes flow to the right that brings about some of the elements on that side of the frame such as the forest on the background or the stones in the foreground.

So many things are happening in this image by Avi. The low perspective where he shot from was able to include a lot of details such as the motorbike, the clouds, the building, and the cat. The subject walking away from the camera is perfectly isolated by her black figure against a white structure. So many things are happening but not stressful to look at.

 

You know why everyone always says to have your camera with you? It’s because of times like these. Certainly explaining this image further would just lessen what it says. It’s funny, absurd, dangerous, and yet still falls to the theme. Sometimes, somebody bigger should pull you to the right direction.

While we are in a funny mood, look at this image by Ewan. Joel Meyerowitz always talk about the gestures he sees when he is shooting the streets, this one works because all of them are seemingly doing the exact same thing in different gestures.

Tunnels or areas stretching out to the open is always a great place to photograph. It would yield excellent silhouettes and adds a sort of natural vignetting to the image. The three figures captured by Nathaniel brings a sense of curiosity to everything in the frame.

Kent’s image exploits trails found in rural areas. The figure stands out against all the greenery as the figure slowly goes forward to the image. Simple and it works.

For this assignment, Helio chose to highlight just the feet and legs. It makes sense since it is pretty much what brings us to where we want to be. Interesting take on the theme.

One of the few color photographs we have for this assignment and the lighting plus color palette is just excellent. How the light falls to the wall, the light on the woman’s face, the other people in the frame. Everything just looks good in this image by Sam.

Let’s play odd man out. So many things are out of place in this image and that makes it fall into our assignment theme for this week. Perhaps a lack of direction in everything on the entire frame. Excellent work by Verda.

Simple and straightforward works. Dacian got the placement of the subjects and the timing right. The texture of the background also works.

The thing about the spiral staircase is it just works for great compositions. Anyone who knows the Fibonacci Spiral or the golden spiral knows that when composed properly, you are making a gorgeous image. From the looks of it, Chun Ming Chan knows that.

 

The architecture plus the lone solitary figure in Payam’s image just works. Those addicted to spotting and shooting lines will have a feast when they see this image.

Mario’s image is a very tricky one. The layers and the placement of everything in the frame gives off a unique view of the entire scene. The white bar that cuts across the image also gives it a sense of weight and oddity that still works.

Here’s another funny image made by Grégoire. This reminds me of the millennial problem of FOMO or fear of missing out. The man sitting on the bench clearly has no fear of missing out or at least the only one who doesn’t care if he misses out. Perhaps he will be angry when he wakes up but at the end of the day, he wasn’t looking at the right direction.

Jason Fung’s take is minimalist and simple. Background fixing but done from a higher perspective thus making the floor the background. It is simple and excellent and floors usually are not distracting. This technique by Jason can be a great way to make street photographs.

Brian use the windows to divide his entire scene into four quadrants. Sort of making a choice in the frame you want to see. How he aligned the line to the edge of the building give it a bit of a surreal feel. Excellent composition and a unique take on the theme.

Saving the most likes among the group for last. Harry’s image just evokes so much simplicity and minimalism. The lines, the subject, the tones, all work. Especially the lines and how it all bring everything together in the frame. Cutting of the head with the line above the frame is very interesting as well. No wonder it got a lot of likes among the group.

Editor’s Choice

This assignment brought a lot of interesting techniques and interpretations for Enamul‘s theme of directions. Thank you to everyone who joined and participated in the assignment.

The Editor’s choice for assignment no. 6:

Sam Trachsel

Here’s one more look at the photo.

A perfect marriage of interpreting the theme and execution of the image. The placement, the lighting, and how it all applies to the theme. Just excellent over all.

Congratulations Sam! Email me at contact@agdemesaphoto.com and let’s see what’s in store for assignment no. 7!

Here are some of the honorable mentions for this assignment:

Harry Fodor

Brian Brooks

Avi Nahum

Dacian Dorca

Closing Thoughts

As you go out and shoot, always try to push yourself in a different direction. Always seek the best way on how you are going to photograph a certain thing, story, or theme in your head. Be creative as possible and exhaust all the ideas.

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)

Thank you again to all those who participated and Congratulations again to Sam and cheers till the next assignment!

• A.g.