The week goes to Willy Verhulst and self-titled “Luberon“, or as he elaborates: “Meeting with a survivor of the past”. The portrait is evocative, and demonstrates how black-and-white photography can strip away distractions so that […]
Tag: people
Flickr a Week 20a: ‘Truck Bed Friends’
The definition of frustration is an artist like Göran Johansson, whose Photostream presents too many superb street shots to choose from. Almost any image is worthy, but the Sunday spot goes to self-titled “Truck Bed Friends” […]
Flickr a Week 19a: ‘Afterbath’
Happy Mother’s Day, readers. We celebrate with self-titled “Afterbath“, which Gerry Dincher shot on April 4, 2020, using Canon PowerShot SX10 IS. Vitals: f/4, ISO 80, 1/250 sec, 5mm. Released more than 11 years ago, […]
Flickr a Week 18: ‘Smile’
We end a month mostly dominated by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)—also known as COVID-19—viral pandemic posts and begin fresh focus on lively, or inspiring, storytelling. “Smile“, by Nana B. Agyei, is anecdote to […]
Flickr a Week 17a: ‘The New Gardener’
During the past seven days, seemingly spontaneous protests have erupted demanding the end to government-ordered lockdowns that have shuttered most businesses and public spaces and all schools, ordered citizens to stay at home (e.g., “shelter-in-place“), and established strict guidelines for “social distancing“, hand washing, and mask wearing. Unemployment soars, economies are wrecked, and millions of people are sick or dying—all because of the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)—also known as COVID-19—pandemic and drastic measures to slow its spread.
Citizens’ frustrations are understandable, particularly given that because economic and social isolation is working, overwhelmed emergency rooms and ICUs or the number of casualties are below worst projections. Accompanying self-titled “The New Gardener“, Neil Moralee has a message for those looking for a return to the old normal.
Flickr a Week 16a: ‘Young Team’
For our Sunday spot, the Ricoh GR makes an appearance, in the capable hands of David Knollmann, who captured self-titled “Young Team” on July 23, 2015. He captions: “öpnv-mannschaft is angry”; the German-language portion translates […]
Flickr a Week 16: ‘Overwhelming Life’
We present another portrait that, like “Willing Prisoner“, was taken in one context but is appropriate for another. Duke Yeh captured self-titled “Overwhelming Life” on Jan. 29, 2018, using Fujifilm X100F. About the photo, he says: “Whispering under his breath, I couldn’t capture what the gentleman was saying. But surely his posture says it all”.
The subject’s “life complexity at a glance” sadly suits the current global crisis, where the SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)—also known as COVID-19—pandemic has shattered economies, driven a wedge between people (“social distancing” and “shelter-in-place” orders), isolated entire nations (government-imposed quarantines), and turned cities into scenes from post-apocalyptic movies. Then there are the millions infected, ill, or deceased.
Flickr a Week 15: ‘Passover’
For one of the most celebrated Jewish holidays, we present a small family gathering that is sadly evocative for 2020. The COVID-19—aka SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2)—pandemic compels people to socially isolate (e.g. […]
Flickr a Week 13a: ‘Selfie’
Self-titled “Selfie” easily takes the Sunday spot for character, clarity, composition, and expression (of the subject and his artistic presentation). Chris Bird used Fujifilm X-T1 and Fujinon XF35mmF2 R WR lens to capture himself, on June 22, 2016. Vitals: f/13, ISO 200, 1/180 sec, 35mm.
In February 2014, Chris joined Flickr, where he posts a vibrantly, intoxicating Photostream. His website is as dynamic.
Flickr a Week 13: ‘La Rambla Ice Cream’
Stop if you are easily tempted by icy, smooth, sugary sweets. Close your eyes! Rick Schwartz captured self-titled “La Rambla Ice Cream” on Oct.27, 2018. Is your mouth watering yet?
Rick, who chimes “Through images, I see”, made the moment using Sony α7R III and FE 85mm F1.8 lens. Vitals: f/1.8, ISO 1250, 1/500 sec, 85mm. The portrait takes the week for bokeh, character, color, and composition.
Flickr a Week 12a: ‘The Starting Grid’
Vroom, the race is on, in self-titled “The Starting Grid“, which Dennis Freeland captured on July 13, 2016, using Olympus OM-D E-M10. Vitals (incomplete): ISO 1250, 1/1600 sec. “If my time comes for a scooter, I will have a camera built in”, he chimes. Sentiment I share, if, and hopefully never.
The street shot is a no-brainer choice for our Sunday spot. This is a moment that could only work in black and white; colors would distract from the three gents. I got to ask about the last: Why is he considerably younger? His presence gives more sense of a race than would a trio of geezers riding about. Why does the lead rider look so miserable? The answer to these and other questions is the kind of storytelling that this series seeks to spotlight with each and every selection.
Flickr a Week 11b: ‘Break Heart’
Architect Mariano Mantel steals Sunday with street shot “Break Heart“, which he captured on March 2, 2019, using Nikon D7100 and 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. Vitals: f/10, ISO 1000, 1/250 sec, 56mm. The settings are interesting, for what they deliver: Graininess that adds ambience and texture to contrasty colors.
What are we seeing? Mariano explains. “A kora player show(s) his instrument in a Barcelona street. The kora is a West African harp of the family of bridge harps or harp-lutes. It’s the highest developed string instrument of Africa. The construction of the instrument as well as the music are unique in the world”.