Many milestones have been hit for the tenth assignment! We just crossed 3,000 members, implemented new rules for the group, and have the ninth assignment translated in russian and german! The community is growing and we have to keep on going!

Here we go!

The treatment of Fabricio’s image feels like an old photograph. It helps the the people in his image looks classic as well. The man’s hair frames the hand gesture of the man on lighting his cigarette while the lady’s hat is about to fall off. Without the feeling of wind based on their gestures alone, we can feel that the climate is windy.

I always try to put why the photos ended up here for analysis just to answer why is it beautiful but there are times that I will be clueless. Seriously, what the hell is that?! I’m just laughing because Darwin was able to spot an interesting image. I hope he can build a humorous collection of images such as this.

Street photography has always been on the lookout for interesting characters in the streets. Michael’s image here is an interesting example of a character. Cops are always seen as stern, stoic, or passive but to see one that seems to be prancing together with a lady that seems to treat the subway platform as a runway and between them a bemused gentleman staring at the camera makes for an interesting image.

With a color palette straight out of Eggleston, this image by Jason is very calm. The image doesn’t have that dynamic movement or anything except for one snippet, her left hand. Everything in the image is interesting but in small snippets as well: her heart shaped tattoos, the denim and boots on the far right, and even how she is being lit by the sun. It is mysterious and it is beautiful.

There is actually scientific evidence why cats are cute.  As I have said in the intro for this assignment, animals also make gestures but cats seem to be the ones that are best at it. Every time I look at the image, I want to go BOOP sound. Kidding aside, I’ve always said this in previous analysis before that black on white goes well. The fall off also help isolate the cats but the wheels on the upper right reveal where they are. Perhaps the cutest photo for this assignment.

From furry felines to man’s best friend, if the previous photo shows cat’s cuteness, this one one shows a dog’s ferocity. The use of black and white was effective here as it highlights the teeth and the eye of the darker dog. Despite the fact that there was no clear focus point, I think it added to the intensity of the image.

This is why I love photography. Two photographers, different countries, and yet they produced a picture that is almost the same. This perspective is always tricky to work with and you have to be in the right position and the right light to get the shot. Matteo’s has a better fall off at the bottom of the frame isolating the subjects nicely but Davide’s show more of the subjects but the one near the pole is framed out the image creating an interesting story. Perspective applied to the fullest.

There are images that will make you get it at first glance and then there images that you need your eye to linger for you to get to it a bit. At first glance, you wouldn’t notice the point of interest in Petra’s photo but as your eye travels in the image, you will see what it is. Perfect timing, great gesture, and the exclusion of the face adds mystery to the subject as to how he/she got there and what he/she is doing.

Nathaniel shows us some soft silhouettes with great cloud detail. The image has interesting elements that shows how a kid really just want to take a ride. Also note how the arms of the mother and daughter frame two figures between them.

Blurs, contrast, hard light, and a strong expression. This shot has everything and them some! The circumstances of the situation is weird. Is it a rally? A cult? or maybe a Party? Nonetheless, that mystery and the fact that there are so many things happening makes this a great image.  Monika has been with the group since its early days and it is nice to see how every assignment she seems to improve and really send in great images.

Shooting reflections in public transport can seem cliche nowadays but Alexander moved in close to capture his reflection and the hands of what I assume two passengers facing each other. With photography, what’s not seen can be as important as that which is not seen. You would appreciate the other elements that go in there such as the “express” wording on the reflection.

From one reflection shot to another, Gian’s shot here points directly at the directly at the girl (pun intended). The dog seems to be paying attention to the girl’s instructions but the detail that I want to point out is the legs of the girl in the background, the legs of the girl that seems wickedly crooked, and Gian’s own legs on the reflection. Icings on the cake that is why this got the most likes in the group making it the community’s choice.

Lens selection is an important aspect of making images since it tells you what you can put in your frame and certain lenses have characteristics as well. Wide Angle Lenses distort and/or warp because of the field of view it gives. Look at the arm and how it seems as though it shrunk! Good thing it matches well with the facial expression of Ericsson’s subject.

If this image by Payam was on caption this, I would just go “WELP” as it seems it is the expression on the subject’s face and body language. Little explanation needed for this humorous image.

Editor’s Choice

The subject of a photograph can’t really speak to us about what is going through him at that exact moment of capture (except for interviews of course). It is the job of the photographer to photograph the mood, the feeling, and everything non-verbal to an image and as the viewer, we have to piece together through our experiences, prejudices, and common symbolism as to what the photograph is trying to say and even so, you will still have a hard time getting at the absolute truth. Showing a gesture wether facial or through movement will convey the information properly as if the photograph is speaking to you.

The photograph that spoke so much for this assignment is this:

Congratulations to Monika Jaśkowska-Bablok

Email me at contact@agdemesaphoto.com and let’s talk shop about what we are going to give the group as a next assignment!

Honorable Mentions

Petra Loho

Jason Maloney

Closing Thoughts

As usual, I hope this was a great opportunity for everyone to learn and pick-up photographing gestures and adding that to your arsenal of showing photography. The group is growing and continuously evolving! If you want to join in, just go to the Streettogs Academy Facebook Group! (or read my introduction here)

Cheers!

• A.g.