“Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .””
The 2nd Assignment, chosen by 1st Assignment Editor’s choice Helio Tomita, focuses upon the basis of human interaction that fosters romance, lifelong companionship, and the light when things are bleak. Friendship is an essential part of human sustenance. It does not fill the belly like a good hearty meal but it fills the soul with experiences and unforgettable moments. Such moments often times happen on the streets. These are those moments.
Youthful Innocence
Being a kid is fun! You can go out and play, you can explore everything, and best of all you don’t have to pay taxes! Kidding aside, being a kid only happens once. Yes we can keep that sense of wonder and curiosity but the world in the eyes of the child especially when he is with his friends is truly magical.
Reydge has really captured the fun the kids are having on a warm day. Reydge got so close that you might get a splash of water just by looking at the photo.
Jonny brilliantly frames the kids in the man’s arms. The man in the foreground is an authoritative figure sort of watching over the children. Special points to him for not turning the man into a full silhouette.
JD Shots captured a bromance in bloom! So many things happening around them but all it takes is a warm hug from your bro!
Who doesn’t enjoy popping bubble wrap? Jan Truter captured the playful innocence here. The railing and the direction where the kid’s heads are pointing perfectly point to the meat of the image. Just two kids having fun stomping on bubble wrap.
Hrant Garabedian spotted these two kids looking like bosses. The stark white frame sunglasses give that attitude look but notice they can’t even reach (what I would assume) is the Ice Cream truck and they need to be accompanied by an adult. Funny moment.
Speaking of kids looking like bosses, Chris Houston captured the scooter patrol. The expression of the kid on the right is so badass and focused on the task at hand. Technical wise, the visual design of this photograph works as well. The concrete blocks provide a nice middle ground to the crowded background of the beach.
Just two friends chilling at the beach. Proof that there are still photographs even after the sun is down. Great colors and great silhouette from Bertrand Domas.
Here’s another take on the beach photo by Andrea Scire, two friends hanging out and not a care in the world. The timing of Andrea is spot on as well. Had he been late or early, the hair would have covered the guy’s face.
Aaron Berger photographed a story of young love right here. Instead of me spoiling it with words, just savor the story by looking at the photo. Special points to Aaron by not cutting the boy’s feet.
Contrary to Aaron’s story, Yvette Ann Ramas’ photo is a hug train. A heartwarming moment.
Jomel Bartolome (A.K.A. Dada Bear) perfectly encapsulates the youthful innocence I am talking about in this category. The comments of some the group members perfectly encapsulate it.
Beautiful moment captured showing a natural friendship that exists between children, quite visible on their faces. Image outlet angle is perfect, showing in detail the environment that the action takes place. -Helio Tomita
…this is a beautiful moment captured in your freeze frame. Nice composition considering the fact that they were in constant move. Great POV as you can see all their expressions having enjoyment in a very playful moment. Good PP too. This is the joy of being a child – no worries of any sort and they just live for the fun of the moment. We all wish that we can do it all over again, right? Great work! – Arnold Despi
Furry Friends
Animals are our best friends too. The joy I get when our dog greets us excitement is unlike nothing in the world. There is a certain warmth that they give us whenever they grace us with their company. We share this planet with them for a reason.
Arnold Despi has given us such a beautiful photograph here. The kitty, the city, and me.
Diego Bazan was able to capture a great moment between two dogs. Notice how the black dog is contrasted to the black sneakers opposite him and the white dog with white legs opposite him. Really nice moment captured.
I have to admit that I laughed when I saw this by Florin Ghebosu. You have to ask what the hell is that goat doing on the other side of the fence? The goat is perfectly framed in the square of the human’s leg and the railings.
Jose Lledo Gisbert also captured a nice moment here. What I find interesting in the photo are the birds, as if silently judging the squirrel. The humor is nice and there are little things at work like the woman’s red jacket coat standing out from the concrete.
A classic portrait by Karen Huitsing. This photo ended up here because I would claim the kitty gave a better pose than the human! :D
Monika Jaśkowska-Bablok was able to capture this somber moment but note the composition of the entire photograph. The head of the human and the dog looking to the right of the frame which leads you to the person with umbrella walking by on perfect V cut across the straight line. Great timing.
From a somber moment to a sweet one, Nico Bath was able to frame this square photograph in a simple manner. The lack of clutter in the background makes you focused on the boy and dog playing together.
This is one of those “what the hell is happening?” photographs for me by Jonathan Nafarrete. Usually, it is humans who notice when they are being photographed but the dog knew he was being photographed with his dead pan stare!
This still counts as furry friends right? Tania Idesti caught these two mascots out of character!
Faffing About with Friends
Friends come in all shapes and sizes. They can be old mentors or young ones whose energies keep us young as well. But one thing is for sure, if you can laugh with them, cry with them, or even be weird with them– They are truly a friend.
Hugs seem to be a recurring theme for this assignment. Adrian Cabrero captured a very touching moment between two friends. The nice highlight coming from the sun accentuates the moment. The Spectator smiling witnessing the event in front of him is really sweet.
Misery loves company as they say, this show by Dave Ng is just that. I’m curious as to why the man removed his shoe…
Felice Rusconi snapped a very modern event here. Two friends who just finished coffee on their phones. Despite the things that are happening in the outside world, they choose to stick to their phones. But hey, perhaps they are checking something important online? We would never know but the reflection of the glass made this photo for me.
Speaking of reflections from the glass, this photo by Ghita Katz Olsen includes herself in the image and another man pointing to her act of photographing the two jesters in front of her! Of course the jesters are interesting characters but the reflection on glass is a terrific detail.
Javier Amosa got these two ladies clad in colorful garb. Notice how they are the only ones wearing almost matching and visually arresting clothes.
This photo by Sebastian Gomez reminded me of the movie, Reservoir Dogs. Had their expressions been blank, I think it wouldn’t have work.
People who smoke know the understanding and respect that exists with other smokers. When someone asks for a light, you give it no matter who that person is or what the person is wearing. Richard Biff Stannard was able to portray that in this image.
Earlier, we had a hug train, this one by Steve Campbell is “writing on the flat surface of your back train”.
Best Friends
Sometimes, people get lucky enough to find that one person that you can be with for the rest of your life. They have different names like wife, husband, best friend, or life partner but they all serve a special purposes in one’s life.
Chris Giannakos spot this sweet moment on a train. I like that they were both are wearing matching outfits and the framing is near perfect.
Speaking of stripes, Jomel Bartolome (AKA Dada Bear) got this intricately composed moment between friends. They are walking the opposite direction yet reaching out to each other. Just a great photograph.
I have no idea what they were checking under her dress but as the bride’s face is smiling, she seems thankful. Bride’s maids making sure it is the best day for the bride. Trey Derbes go a nice snap in this one.
Edmond Gunarso’s composition in this photo is masterful. A nice black and white photo of two friends exercising on the beach.
Look at that back to back photo by Helio Tomita. Two different photos that to me would perfectly goes together. A should you can lean on and a trustworthy handshake. There is trust in people in the photographs and how they are framed are almost the same. Great job!
Sometimes, a best friend isn’t normally a person but a thing we are passionate about. Take this photo by Luis Eduardo Sanchez about a kid and his bike. The subject looks plain but the black and white contrast and the lines of the stairs makes is so sweet.
Aside from a bike, perhaps a doll is your best friend! Keshav Mahendru got this interesting character.
Kris R Esteban shows some mystery by cutting of the heads the people in the photograph. I actually think it has a very romantic feel to it.
Koba Badasewzki and Lars Nicolay Løvdal found great scenes of pairings in their photographs.
Maya Saetz, Michiel Fokkema, and Monika Wypych made great monochrome photographs of travel partners enjoying the places they are in and the company they have. Such lovely scenes on the street.
Payam Hamzei got scene that would look like a beginning of a lifelong friendship. One is on a shade of black and the other on white but it doesn’t matter. Real friends see through looks, appearance or skin color.
If Payam got the beginning of a lifelong friendship, Polly Rusyn got a friendship that has lasted lifetimes. A charming photograph of old folks.
Editor’s Choice
This wasn’t an easy choice. There were many excellent entries for this assignment but it will go to
Jomel Bartolome
Here’s one more look at his photograph:
This was a really difficult decision as the selections were really strong for this assignment but looking back at what Helio wants us to spot is those fleeting moments present on the streets and happening all the time. I think this encapsulates this feeling of friendship that is fundamental in experiencing life.
This photo of Jomel also got the most likes from the group.
So Jomel, please email me at contact@agdemesaphoto.com and let’s talk about ideas for the third assignment! (While you’re at it Jomel, email me a link to your blog, website, or etc. as well)
I also want to give an honorable mention to the following photographers for giving great entries:
Closing Thoughts
If I may go off tangent a bit, I’d like to encourage everyone that the next time you go out, try and brighten someone’s day with your photograph or your presence on the street. Strike a conversation with a stranger or compliment someone, perhaps treat a friend or that stranger to ice cream or something simple. Take a portrait and send them their photo. With all the bad things happening in the world right now perhaps we can start something small by doing a little good. All the more better if we can do it through our passion that is street photography right?
So again, thank you to Helio for giving us such a wonderful assignment to work with and thank you to everyone who participated in this assignment.
If you want to see the rest of the entries or join in the assignments, just go to the Streettogs Academy Facebook Group!
Looking forward to what Jomel has in store for us!
- A.g.