Street Photography Award September 2022
– Theme: Street Photography / Competition Judge: Jamel Shabazz
The Street Photography Competition aims to celebrate and reward photographers for being best at observing and recording life on the streets.
Whether the subject was your own urban environment or as you explored other territories and cultures: We were looking for those spontaneous and fleeting moments and it is our great pleasure to present the work of these incredibly talented artists!
Make sure to sign up for the newsletter and join us over on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter where we’ll be sharing all our favorite images from the competition. Congratulations to all the talented photographers who made it to the final!
Finalists
Jury's Feedback
1ST PRIZE: David Keith Brown
“My eye was immediately drawn toward the juxtaposition of the two sets of couples fixated on their balloons. This is occurring while a young child in his own private world, is perfectly framed in the center of the image and seems to be enthralled with his balloon; isolated but equally engaging. What I found interesting was the age difference between the couples on the left side of the frame who appear to be teenagers, while on the other side are women, one slightly visible and the other not so much, only identifiable by the jewelry recognizable on her left hand. The drawing of the quarter moon face on one balloon, adds extra suspense. Both women are carrying distinguishable, designer handbags. Perhaps they are good friends or relatives, enjoying a day out with their children. There is so much left to the imagination while looking at this photograph; A well-composed, decisive moment, capturing intimacy and friendship. It is now a strong visual narrative, frozen in time.” — Jamel Shabazz
2ND PRIZE: Erich Wohlenberg
“There are so many amazing elements captured in this intriguing image. From the cinematic feel and mood produced by the lighting and layers of tones and shapes to the overall composition and cunning perspective, along with the technical process, all are important ingredients needed to make such a unique and surreal image. I was most impressed with how the photographer framed the silhouetted subject perfectly timed, against the lighted backdrop, while capturing the various textures and nuances within this single frame. The making of this particular photograph was executed with great skill and creativity.” — Jamel Shabazz
3RD PRIZE: Julien Schoener
“A wonderful image that showcases the potential of more elevated perspectives in street photography. Captured from above, the dark figures and their umbras form an arresting composition that almost verges on abstract, and immediately brings to mind the work of 20th-century greats, René Burri and Andre Kertesz.“ – The Independent Photographer Editors
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© Michael McCoy
Judge: Jamel Shabazz
Jamel Shabazz was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of fifteen, he picked up his first camera and started to document his peers. Inspired by photographers Leonard Freed, James Van Der Zee, and Gordon Parks, he marveled at their documentation of the African American community. In 1980, as a concerned photographer with a clear vision, he embarked on a mission to extensively document various aspects of life in New York City, from youth culture to a wide range of social conditions. Due to its spontaneity and uniqueness, the streets and subway system became backdrops for many of his photographs.
