Category: People

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 6, 20157:38 am

Flickr a Day 37: ‘Bushwick Dreams’

Street smart best describes the photographic style of Chris Ford. From Appleton, Wisc., he now lives in New York City, which is principal location for his atmospheric art. Composition is his talent, by which he creates sense of presence—being there—whether it’s the Big Apple or his fantastic travel photography.

Among the 37 Flickr photostreams viewed to date, Chris’ is by far the most difficult to cull. The challenge is greater than the images; he generally tells a story behind each, providing historical or current context. The guy just kills me—and causes me to also hunger for the City, where I hope to one day live again.

Photo by Joe WilcoxFeb 4, 20157:23 am

Flickr a Day 35: ‘So Much for the Smile’

Oh happy day. Today’s selection is courtesy of search “smile”. Shumona Sharna snapped the photo on March 20, 2010—and it’s popular, with more than 13,000 views. She explains about the context: “Two boys were actually […]

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 31, 20156:56 am

Flickr a Day 31: ‘Couple’

Today’s selection comes from Flickr searches for the Leica X1 and X2 digicams. Photographer Andrew Xu uses the latter, and I once owned the former. Originally from China, and living in New Zealand, the VFX artist is true to his profession, by posting photos that punch you with their terrific visual style.

I could easily fill the remaining 324 Flickrs a Day with Andrew’s images, which is comment about the challenge choosing one. I left the decision to fate, picking the pic from my initial search. Andrew’s style is so strong because, in part, he has a photographic philosophy that merges art and science. I recommend reading the full explanation on his Flickr profile page.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 25, 20156:42 am

Flickr a Day 25: ‘Decisions, Decisions’

What’s not to like about this fantastic photo? Someone tell me. Bokeh, silhouette, and story told in the caption shorter than a Tweet: “Do you think this ice is thick?” We want to know. Step out and show us!

Freelance photographer Rick Harrison snapped this mesmerizer on March 4, 2006, using the Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2. Nine years later you’ll find him behind the Nikon D800. From Wakefield, United Kingdom, he is based in Leeds. Rick is the first Flickr-a-Day photographer who specializes in landscapes. Most of the others shoot on the street and/or focus on people.

Aspiration by Joe WilcoxJan 24, 201510:30 am

Comic-Con Heroes: The Collectors

Two weeks ago, I started serializing my ebook Comic-Con Heroes: The Fans Who Make the Greatest Show on Earth. Welcome to the third of 13 installments before the book releases into the public domain, on July 8, 2015, after my current commitment for Amazon KDP Select ends. In the first segment we met The Dark Knight, and in the second a Medieval, Scandinavian fighter.

The third profile gets more to the core Con—not people who attend to dress up and be someone else for a day or few—but those who are there to collect. Comic book and toy collecting are undercurrents that keep the event vital. Hollywood productions may get more media attention, and for sure lots of people line up for television show and movie star-studded panels. But the show’s lifeforce are the artists, their fans, and people who look for rare comics or limited-edition items.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 24, 20156:46 am

Flickr a Day 24: ‘Defilé’

Lines define the photographic style of Stefano Bertolotti, who prefers to shoot building interiors and exteriors—and autos, too. Today’s selection captures his style applied to people. This image really appeals me, and I hope to you. […]

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 23, 20157:34 am

Flickr a Day 23: ‘What I Wish For’

Searching Flickr for “what” churns up more shots of people’s bags, and what’s inside them, than you can imagine. It’s my strangest pic-peek voyeur experience yet. The look-see also reveals today’s selection—one of 11 related images spotted among the backpacks, messenger bags, and purses—chosen for what’s behind: The story and the photographer’s impressive portfolio.

Jorge Quinteros comes from Jamaica, Queens, New York, but lives in Brooklyn, where he shoots some of the best street photography portraits I have seen on Flickr. Today’s chosen pic isn’t representative of his style, which captures character in vivid photographs. Many street shooters are discreet. The self-titled “What I Wish For” series is what happens when a creative mind gets up close to his subjects,, engages them, rather than captures images from a distance.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 22, 20157:19 am

Flickr a Day 22: ‘How Not to Shoot Thor’s Well’

When is a bad photo really good? That’s the question today’s selection poses. During summer 2013, “whilst idling planless in San Francisco, I decided to try and replicate one of the epic shots of Oregon’s Thor’s Well that I see plastering the Internet”, Zach Dischner explains. “That was the extent of my planning. I had a smartphone to lead me there, and hope that I would get there in time for an epic sunset”. The Well wasn’t so well.

The story behind this epic disaster pic makes it today’s Flickr-a-Day pick. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes a few explaining the shot’s context make all the difference. This could be just another black-and-white sea shot—the wanderer looking out onto the raging sea. The pic is so much more.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 21, 20156:51 am

Flickr a Day 21: ‘Parallel Universe’

Sometimes street photography is as much about luck as skill. Diana Robinson explains about self-titled “Parallel Universe on Houston Street” that “while photographing this mural…in New York City, two young men walked by in opposite directions wearing […]

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 20, 20157:10 am

Flickr a Day 20: The Sitters

I found Greta Ceresini while searching for an image to illustrate “The Old Man“, one of my short stories, which posted eight days ago. Taken in Perugia, Italy (she lives in Piacenza), today’s selection sets great subject […]

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 19, 20157:16 am

Flickr a Day 19: Indian Street Food

Vibrant best describes the photograph’s of Ulf Bodin, who works magic with contrasting areas of brightness and shadows. My father taught me to favor overcast skies when shooting outdoors. Ulf’s photostream portfolio shows how to effectively use light, and even long shadows, to artistic advantage.

“I’m in love with dark, high contrast, colorful, clean, sharp images”, says the former archaeologist. His profession is all about stitching together the past—from the pieces recreating what was from what remains. His photographic style isn’t far removed. “I post-process my images to recreate the mode and feeling from the photo moment. I never add things to my pictures, but sometimes I merge several captures to one”.

Photo by Joe WilcoxJan 18, 20157:05 am

Flickr a Day 18: Painted

Student Satya Vrat Shukla should seriously consider just how good are his “outtakes”, which is how he describes this remarkable photograph. The colors and bokeh—painter and background—rivet my eyes.

“This is one of my really good friends, Ethi, who is an amazing painter”, Satya says. “She basically oil-painted this within a couple of minutes while I pestered her to ‘paint something good'”. Pester. I found the pic searching Flickr for the word—like yesterday’s selection, which shares something else: Camera choice. Satya shot with Canon EOS 550D and classic 50mm lens (f/1.8). Gotta love them Primes!