EDITORS’ PICK
The Mother Tongue of the Subconscious
COLORS
COLORS EDITORS’ PICK
Following Alixandra Fazzina’s selection of winning images for our recent Colors competition, this compilation of 20 images represents some of the other talented photographers whose work struck us and left a mark. Each a stunning image worthy of exposure and attention…
When selecting for editor’s picks we’re always searching for those striking photographs that make for an unforgettable single image, whether from a broader series or not. We enjoy the accompanying text some photographers submit with their images, and while not always necessary it can be relevant when understanding the work in full context.
These are intended to be a conversation starter… so feel free to join the discussion on our social networks.
BANNER IMAGE: FRANCOIS JORGE
Even though the golden hour is often the preferred time of the day for photography, it is worth taking the time to explore the blue hour as well. This composition overlays a detailed subject onto a long exposed blue background and is effective and artful in its simplicity. The shades of blue are fascinating and soothing, almost capturing the viewer’s attention more than the small subject. Human and nature blending in like this conveys a powerful message. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Blue hour at the Barcarès pond in the South of France.
ELISENDA CORNET
This abstract composition is all about colors and proof that what Heraclitus once said is true: “The only constant in life is change.” The photographer notices not just the potential of a colorful wall embellished with human silhouettes, but also how the colors change with light. It is a thoughtful approach, full of grace and gratitude for the world around us. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – At sunset, the shadows on that blue wall became shades of that bright blue.
SIMON BERAUD
The dark shades of blue softly blended in and the smooth curve of the hill-like knee make for an artful, minimalist composition. However, the image doesn’t lack a focal point nor is it dull. The photographer skilfully showcases the less obvious aspects of colors, the more silent stories, and the endless waltz of contrast. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Hill.
JULIAN SADOWSKI
The monks in their bright orange robes are an impressive subject matter, specifically when some of them are children. The vibrant color contrasts their peaceful attitude, slow movements, and serene mindset. This image artistically captures this contrast and emphasizes it through its colorless background and bleak foreground. Its focal point is remarkably impactful. – LIFE FRAMER
DAVID COYLE
This nature photograph is infused with color and contrast due to the playful use of light and shadows. Its surreal shapes and colors lure the viewer in, making them curious to know more. The meaning slips away and takes the form of whatever mood it finds the viewer in. It may very well make the viewer smile or frown, which shows just how powerful and diverse the art of photography may be. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – From the series Hot/Cold. I live near Seattle, Washington so I get to shoot in plenty of rain and fog, which I’m grateful for. A change of scenery is always nice, however, and I jump at the opportunity to make pictures in different climates. When making photos in the desert and snow, I’ve found that I love to experiment with flash and color lighting. The desert images were made at the Phoenix Mountains Preserve using a portable light with color filters and the snow images were made in various locations in Washington using on camera flash with color filters. I love how the boldness of the color becomes the common denominator that ties these images together as a small series.
LIONEL DE SMET
Colors everywhere. Vibrant blue shades tell the old stories of a place while red shades speak about the more recent festivities. By using a very unusual shooting angle and playing exhaustively with visual elements, the photographer creates a complex but well-balanced composition that keeps the viewer engaged. Leading lines take the viewer toward the solitary child and then away, making sure every pixel gets to be seen. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – In the heart of an Indonesian village, where blue walls whisper stories of time, a quiet moment unfolds. Flags and red flowers sway in the warm breeze, echoes of a celebration now fading into memory. A child, dressed in white, sits alone–lost in thought or simply absorbing the unhurried rhythm of the day. There’s a stillness here, a delicate balance between vibrant colors and weathered textures, between festivity and solitude. The world moves on, yet for a brief moment, in this narrow alley, time lingers, unhurried and untouched.
THIBAULT GERBALDI
One can’t deny the strong cultural meaning of colors. This majestic environmental portrait of a young woman speaks about the symbolism of red in Indian culture but also about the many other colors we surround ourselves with. It’s a striking image, but if you take the time to read through the lines, you’ll notice the dreamy attitude of the woman, the details of her hands, and the fine combination of textures. The image is food for thought, for sure. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – A good memory. Portrait of a woman in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, draped in a traditional red dress and veil — colors deeply symbolic in Rajasthani culture, representing both marital joy and strength. She seemed lost in her thoughts, her gaze softened as if remembering a distant, happy moment.
UZAIR ASHRAF
It’s astonishing how much meaning a single yellow leaf can convey. With the right framing, a common subject matter, such as an autumn leaf, becomes the star of an appealing image that tells a lot of stories. For some, this picture may be about solitude or the unstoppable passing of time. For others, it may be about seasonal repetition, the imponderability of floating, or just about the present moment. It takes a lot of skill to tell so many things with such a simple photograph. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Drifting Through Time. A lone leaf floats, a quiet reminder of change, simplicity, and fleeting moments.
ANNA BIRET
There is a lot to take in from this picture featuring so many overlapping layers, all meaningful, all colorful. The photographer showcases very good compositional skills, storytelling abilities, and a very insightful and delicate personal approach. Everything in this image is candidly shot, however, the elements complement each other and act in perfect harmony, revealing themselves one by one. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Queretaro, Mexico. I take candid street photos. Respect is fundamental to my approach. I never use flash, and I avoid disrupting the natural flow of life around me. Somehow, my presence is accepted; why, I cannot say. I adapt to each scene, allowing people to remain themselves. Through candid street photography, I simplify the chaos of daily existence, distilling it into compositions that evoke a sense of mystery and quiet poetry.
SEB. SZCZEPANOWSKI
Analogous colors and toned-down palettes can be as artful and beautiful as strong contrasts and high saturations. Highlights and shadows blend smoothly in this documentary shot, filling the frame with textures and details of the fisherman’s life. The composition is dynamic and captures the flow rather than the moment. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – The Mermaid.
LISA RÖTHIG
This take on color contrast is playful, artistic, and joyful. The small orange spot in the vast winter landscape makes the viewer think of a mighty toy finding its way through the snow. The natural frame leads the viewer towards the main focal point whilst giving them time to explore the rich background as well. One can almost feel the cold and yearn for the warmth inside the orange vehicle. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – The orange snow shovel – A small splash of color in the snow-covered mountain landscape of slovenia – an orange snow shovel making its way across the viaduct.
EDUARDO ORTIZ
The photographer creates an interesting composition by juxtaposing fully saturated colors. But this is not an arranged scene inside a comfortable studio. It is a candid street shot, which makes everything much more challenging. It takes a lot of patience and commitment to wait for the decisive moment when four or five layers come together in the perfect shot. Well done! – LIFE FRAMER
MARTINA HOLMBERG
One can say there is a lot of color in this woman’s life. The red curtains and her blue scarf are just a sample. However, the photographer went beyond these exterior aspects and captured her attitude, personality, and emotions. This environmental portrait encompasses the colors of a lifetime, culture, and lifestyle. Clearly, the photographer and model connected at a very profound level. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Midwife Marie-Emelie Ngoy Ngotwo in the village of Mimia in western Congo.
LIAM WHEELER
The fiery background takes the scene, transforming the landscape into a suggestive silhouette. The diagonal leading line does its job of creating a striking focal point very well. Everyone – the person on the mountain, and the viewer – is admiring the sunset and the colorful sky. It’s a moment of stillness, silence, and peace. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – “Land really is the best art” – Andy Warhol.
THOMAS SPIECKERMANN
What an interesting perspective on a sunset! A soft rainbow constitutes the horizon in this simple yet efficient composition. All it takes to add depth and tridimensionality to this calm landscape photograph is a bit of texture in the foreground and a smooth blue in the background. It’s a therapeutic picture, one could look at for hours. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Sunset at Okavango Delta, Botswana.
ANNA KIRCHNER
Colors are the ideal medium for abstract photography because they can fill the frame with clues and let the viewer compose the stories. This artful shot, so well-balanced and aesthetically appealing, raises emotions and questions. It allows you to experience art on your own, view what you desire to see, and engage with the work in any way you prefer at a given moment. Coming back to the photograph will bring a different experience. – LIFE FRAMER
PEDRO POVEDA
Layers, textures, colors. A potpourri of visual elements fills this frame and engages the viewer. Although it is a busy frame, it has no distractions. Everything in there has a purpose and adds to the story. It’s whimsical and almost melodic. You can feel it pulsing and laughing and talking about life in the neighborhood. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Rainbow. Varanasi, India.
ANDREAS BAUER
The photograph features a vivid shade of red, amplified by the misty window and all-around reflections, as alive as the people who enjoy it. This is Cuba in a frame, from the racing steering wheel to symbols of undying faith and its passionate people. The composition is multidimensional and lures the viewer in, step by step, like a Habanera dance. It’s a good example of how to adapt the framing to the subject and not the other way around. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Cuba.
JOZEF MACAK
Red is often found in flag designs due to its association with blood, strength, and love. In this picture, the photographer uses the Turkish flag as a powerful background that completes the story of the subject, adding multiple layers of meaning. It’s an unusual take on an environmental portrait but works very well, proving that less-traveled styles can deliver amazing results. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – The Ottoman.
JAMES MALIKEY
The animal kingdom is no stranger to colors. This macro shot showcases the resilience and determination of an ant but also its bluish environment, inviting us into the microcosmos of insects. For us, surreal, for the ant, perfectly normal, the upside-down perspective creating a very interesting image. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Moody Blue. I was photographing ants, and I was deeply impressed, it felt like entering a different world, a microcosm. The depth and mystery in this image, along with the blue tones and the expression of the ant — small yet hanging upside down and bravely climbing a massive wall — convey a deeper story that is easily applicable to everyday life.
