Monthly Thematic Contest January, 2019 Results

We are extremely happy to announce the results of our twelfth In-street Monthly Thematic Contest – January, 2019.

The Street Photography Contest Theme for January, 2019 was ‘UNPEOPLED’.

We received lots of great images during January 01 – January 12, 2019 in our FB group. Thank you so much friends for your enthusiastic response and huge participation. We are very happy to see many images with some innovative interpretation of the monthly theme. It was a tough and exciting job for us to choose the best ones from so many great images.

It is with great pleasure that we announce our 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners along with 9 other honorable mentions.

We also have a special winner this time – The Mentor’s Choice image has been chosen by our Guest Mentor Julia Coddington.

So here is the result… The winner is – Ayanava Sil‎ !

January, 2019 Monthly Thematic Contest 1st Place Winner

[In-Street Review] Ayanava’s photo is a beautiful image for the “Unpeopled” theme. This image is a slow burn: At first it looks like a very mundane scene, but as one starts to pay attention, it rewards you and starts working at many levels. First, the artwork gives out a very happy vibe. Secondly, by framing the artwork within the auto, Ayanava created a story that feeds the imagination. A story of lost time, of travel and joys of childhood. Finally, the whole scene is beautifully enhanced by the strong colors and the texture of the wall. All in all, a wonderful scene that just invites to be looked at and enjoyed.

Second place goes to Ab Rashid !

January, 2019 Monthly Thematic Contest 2nd Place Winner

Third place goes to Sachin Sawansiya!

January, 2019 Monthly Thematic Contest 3rd Place Winner

And the Mentor’s Choice goes to Sayan Mukherjee!

January, 2019 Monthly Thematic Contest Mentor’s Choice Winner

[Guest Mentor’s Review]

The photo that tells the strongest story, and which is also compositionally strong is ‘So you miss me’ by Sayam Mukherjee. That one really stands out not only because the story (and it’s mysterious meaning) is so strong, but there is also a complexity to it. I imagine the writer asking “so you left, but now you miss me?”

The bird to the left conveys the sense of the one left behind watching the other fly off. It’s all so brilliantly portrayed! Compositionally there is also strength in the colours, the placement of the main elements and horizontal and vertical lines dividing up the frame. Those lines echo the sense of ‘division’ and separation.

This photo’s story is all about loneliness, separation and departure and even the composition conveys that.

For example the bird left behind is standing right on the edge of the ladder, strengthening the sense of isolation and loneliness that people feel when left behind.

That bird is also small and stands alone against the white background. The bird in flight is off and away, bigger, now free, with a brighter yellow background. There is no space between the words “MISSME” and it is written in capital letters, suggesting that the writer was so angry and distressed that they couldn’t think properly. It also emphasizes the irony that they (having been left behind) are now missed.

Relationships can be messy and perhaps the story told here resonates strongly in many of us. This is why this image is so successful.

Finally, here is other Nine Honorable Mentions !