Text and pictures by Eki Qushay Akhwan
Moments like this, in my opinion, can reveal more about the life of a city than the whole objects contained in it. It is because people are the heart of a city (It's a reiteration of the point I made when I first started my City of People Series).
In photography, this kind of photograph would be categorized as street photography, a genre of photography that focuses on documenting candid moments that happen on public places, such as the streets, markets, parks, beaches, etc.
This kind of photography tries to capture the scenes and moments as they are with no interference whatsoever in the unfolding of the event or with the subject. As such, technically (in the sense of sharpness, etc.), street photography photos often look "imperfect"; but if you look carefully, you can almost feel the purity and the essence of the vision. It's a piece of life fronzen in a frame.
I'll write more about street photography tomorrow.
I agree with what you say about street photography and I am just beginning to discover it myself. When doing a photoblog about one's city it easy to get into just doing monuments, parks, famed beauty spots, etc. and ignore the people around one (as one often does in real life). Yet life in the streets is very interesting may reveal more about the city and the culture than all the obvious or more famous sights.
ReplyDeleteEki
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said as always. I am very interested in your series. I think street photography, while it looks easy because of the spontanaity aspect, is often the hardest for the same reasons. Often it comes off looking jumbled, cluttered and without a real focus. We will all learn from you.
My favorite kind of photography. This is beautiful, real, emotional, unplanned, unretouched. Grand.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I added you to my blogroll. I am honored to be in yours. Thank you.
You are amazing Eki. I would never think to take those photos. But you are correct, it does capture the people and I think if we put one a similar photo of any city, there would be similarities more than differences. Or that is probably more hopeful thinking on my part.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add how universal hand gestures are. GG
ReplyDeleteThis is the style that I enjoy... I use the term photojournalism.
ReplyDeleteThey looks happy.
ReplyDeleteLove your street photography. It really is all about the feeling and mood of the city. thanks for sharing your wonderful talent
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right. Street photography is just that. A one off moment captured mid flow and frozen. Perfect example.
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