EDITORS’ PICK
An Atlas of the Body
THE HUMAN BODY
The Human Body Editors’ Pick
Following Sanne De Wilde’s selection of winning images for our recent competition THE HUMAN BODY, 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…
These are intended to be a conversation starter… so feel free to join the discussion on our social networks.
This month’s selection was made by Kate O’Neill. Kate is Creative Director at The Visual Loop – a company that runs exhibitions, creative workshops and artist talks for businesses, communities and organizations. Prior to that she managed the Marketing & Partnerships Department at Metro Imaging, coordinating our outreach programs, professional development talks, workshops and mentorship programs, and was Festival Manager for Brighton Photo Fringe. She is Founding Director of The Old Girls’ Club, a network supporting women across the photography industry, and is a regular speaker, reviewer and mentor for photographic events and initiatives across the UK.
BANNER IMAGE COURTESY OF GUILLAUME FLANDRE
www.guillaumeflandre.com / @gflandre
Editor’s comment: An unusual sight these days – groups and gatherings, but a welcome scene of leisure, ease and comfort in one’s skin while amongst nature. This photograph portrays a tranquil setting, reassuring its guests and enabling the human body to just be, and the strange coloration with a lack of greens, adds just a touch of surrealism.
IMAGE COURTESY OF ARGUS PAUL ESTABROOK
www.arguspaul.com / @arguspaul
From the series Wrestling in the Streets of Seoul – “The Hongdae region of Seoul always delivers a healthy dose of spectacle to those seeking escapism from the conservative work-focused society in South Korea. Home to one of the top fine art universities in the country, the district has become a haven for indie arts, music, and spontaneous events of creative nature. The streets are alive with a spirit that anything can and will happen.
That made Hongdae the perfect setting for an evening of gorilla performances by a largely unknown troupe of wrestlers. This particular event took place during an underground rock show dubbed, “an unholy unity of music and wrestling.” Between the opening act and the headlining band, the PWF wrestlers were introduced and then immediately started sparring. To the delight of the audience, they quickly took their fight out of the club and into the street. Enticed by its offbeat and overtly masculine nature, the audience couldn’t help but chase after and marvel at this aggressive form of entertainment.”
Editor’s comment: Expressive, theatrical and undisguised machismo – I wonder if the sport of wrestling says more about the spectators than it does the participants? Within this image – as the fighters engage in a fusion of adrenaline and aggression – we can see anticipation, curiosity and even joy painted across the expressive faces of the onlookers, potentially unveiling a deeper level of the human psyche. It’s a well composed and timed photograph, and I’d enjoy seeing a collection of images from different perspectives of this event.
IMAGE COURTESY OF CORINE BAKKER
www.corinebakker.nl / @cobakker1
From the series Ode – “Ode is an ongoing project. I am fascinated by the human body and how time influences body and skin. I have captured it and show it in a pure way, with all the signs that life leaves behind. Driven by emotion I do not look away, but rather appreciate what is there, showing its beauty. The essence is that the body ages as it has lived for a long time. It deserves love, attention, marvel and admiration.”
Editor’s comment: “…with all the signs that life leaves behind”… It seems humans can fight anything but time. With some researchers requesting to classify biological aging as a disease, it’s still apparent we are underprepared as a society and economy to facilitate an aging population. Projects like ‘Ode’ are need to continue to bring awareness to this unavoidable issue with the care and attention it deserves, ideally weaving its way into the mainstream conversation so we can collectively change our approach to ageing and the elderly. An exquisite portrait from an important project.
IMAGE COURTESY OF WALTER FOGEL
www.fogelwalter.allyou.net
Editor’s comment: At first glance this image seems to be a colorful holiday snapshot, but as the back tattoo comes into focus, the overtly symbol of death paints a spectrum of modern day symbolism. From body types, gender stereotypes, the aging process and the relationship with our bodies, ourselves and our environment – depicting a myriad of themes. This simple image of everyday life can quickly become overcomplicated and laden with meaning when viewed by another set of eyes – reminding me of the joy and peril of photography – personal interpretation is everything. I like that the photographer submitted this without caption or context, it made me think… then overthink.
IMAGE COURTESY OF KONSTANTINA MAVROMMATI
@konmav__
“This series shows the features of the human body from points of views which are not usually preferred to be shown. Each and every one of them narrates stories of personal experiences that, even though exist in our realities, we tend to avoid communicating them. A toothache; a neck pain; sensitive and tired eyes; hair loss. Based on such physical and mental experiences I made these images with my guiding light being the alternative visions I could show.”
Editor’s comment: An interesting series depicting the vulnerability of our vanity. Hair greying and loss – for anyone of any gender – can be bruising to the ego, as well as our mental health at times. This project fits well within the narrative of mental health vs. our physical appearance – highlighting the parts of us we are unable and unwilling to showcase, and injecting some much-needed balance to the regular social media stream of content with a simple but creative and well-constructed composition.
IMAGE COURTESY OF LISETTE VAN DER SIJDE
@lisettevandersijde
Editor’s comment: Removing all aspects of identity, this image of the human body brings us back to simple form and shape – the use of black and white adding another layer between how we identify as individuals and the humbling reality that we are all the same. A beautiful interpretation of the theme.
IMAGE COURTESY OF ELENA PARASKEVA
www.elenaparaskeva.com / @elenaparaskevaphotography
From the series The Last Days Of Sara – “A series dealing with gender identity. “Saro used to love his feminine self, the one he called Sara. But when the cuteness of a little boy wearing skirts passed, the insults and the slurs begun. He did not come out of the closet, he was forced out of it. Forced to view his body as the beginning of sin and perversion. Shame lingered like an undesirable guest. He often thought of Sara’s name on a gravestone perhaps accompanied by a suicide note. He was now more ghost than flesh and he stopped praying for answers. He quietly walked into the closet with all the other skeletons, closed the door and waited to die without a whisper.””
Editor’s comment: The scenario described in the statement for ‘The Last Days of Sara’ is unfortunately not an uncommon experience amongst the transgender community, facing hostility, isolation and misunderstanding – their bodies not their own but a battle ground of societal opinion. I like the photographer’s use of vibrant tones and symmetrical composition, seemingly creating a dreamlike scape, possibly a place where the subject can move fluidly between genders without judgement and suffering.
IMAGE COURTESY OF MARK RYAN
@rynoceras
Editor’s comment: What we leave behind is very much encompassed in this monochrome moment. The body and bones can wither away but what we leave behind – for good or for bad – may take a lot longer to erase. The photograph works well as a single image, subtle but striking, with the glistening grains of black sand echoing a sky full of stars.
IMAGE COURTESY OF JAMES ROSEN
www.jamesandrewrosen.com / @james_a_rosen
Editor’s comment: A beautifully composed and toned image. The absence of the head in the image removes identity and forces you to take in the landscape as an extended aspect of the body. A sense of curiosity sets in as you review the image, then finally melancholy as the human is enveloped by the natural environment. A piece of work that I think could be accompanied by text – whether it’s poetry or editorial.
IMAGE COURTESY OF TIENE CARLIER
www.tienecarlier.be / @tienecarlier
”I love taking nude pictures. Not because of the sensuality it can have, but because of the rawness and pureness bodies naturally have. I like to work with that, it makes me feel as a sculptor.”
Editor’s comment: It was enjoyable to read how the photographer feels like a sculptor as they immerse themselves in their practise of showcasing the rawness and pureness of individual bodies. This particular image conveys a restraint with the strap but an element of spirit with the bright color of the material. I enjoy the attention to detail and the near symmetry within the crop.
IMAGE COURTESY OF MEDULLA STUDIO
@medullastudio
From the series Alive Maps – “The human body as an atlas of edges, surfaces and fragments.”
Editor’s comment: This well-captioned image is a lot of fun to try figure out, an unusual perspective of an overtly familiar subject. It’s a reminder that there is interest to be found in everything, that we can use the lens to distort, flip and amuse ourselves amongst the mundane.
IMAGE COURTESY OF MARY CHEN
www.marychenn.com / @chen.mary_
From the series The Entanglement of Bodies – “Through this series, I hope to create an ambience that echoes the beauty of our bodies, reflect on our interconnected relationships as beings on Earth and the unexplainable energy which surrounds us all. “The desire for the lens is not to capture the personality as it is but rather portray the body as it might be.””
Editor’s comment: Certainly an image of celebration, showcasing symmetry, strong color and simple beauty- truly highlighting the body and not the personality or identity attached. I would enjoy seeing how this series would be developed and curated to follow “The Entanglement of Bodies” and view the chosen pairings.
IMAGE COURTESY OF ILAN WITTENBERG
www.ilanwittenberg.com / @ilan_wittenberg
“…In the context of the 21st century, it is difficult to make an artistic statement in the medium of nude photography, given the proliferation of pornographic imagery – which has tainted the artistic subject in the perception of most viewers, limiting the opportunities to exhibit or publish artistic nude images.
In presenting this series, I offer an opportunity to contemplate and appreciate the juxtaposition between human and nature: soft flesh and harsh environment; life and stillness; white and black. The use of monochrome emphasises the nude shape and form, removing distracting elements to ensure that you focus on the beautiful feminine body language. These photographs portray powerful and independent women who are depicted through fresh, inspiring and original artwork.”
Editor’s comment: Composed and lit with such care and attention, this image is a strong indication of the level of skill and dedication the photographer applies to their work. A blend of fine art, contemporary portraiture and iconography, this image is both arresting and subtle, and it would be interesting to see how the style and narrative unfolds across a full series.
IMAGE COURTESY OF VARDI KAHANA
www.vardikahana.com / @vardikahana
“This series is an artistic documentation of Gili Patair, a young woman who asked me to photograph her during her struggle with cancer. “I want you to document what happens to me, the changes my body goes through,” she said, “I’ll invite myself to your studio, and when it’s too difficult for me you’ll come to me.” She said, “I want you to publish these photographs after my death. It’s important to me that people know what this disease looks like” and so it was.”
Editor’s comment: This image is as arresting as the request from the subject to the photographer. It’s important to me that people know what this disease looks like”. Cancer is now very much part of our common vocabulary, which in turn brings it to the forefront but also makes it easy to ignore. This short series brings it front and centre for the viewer to come to terms with, comprehending the physical suffering of the Gili Pattir, the sitter and patient. A poignant piece of work but also a tribute to the important relationship held between this photographer and their subject, full of respect and understanding.
IMAGE COURTESY OF LJUBICA DENKOVIC
www.behance.net/ljubicadenkovic / @ljubicadenkovic
“Photography is an expression of a metamorphosis: from the initial showing people who have simply appeared before the lens to presenting all they might be(come), only if we consider all the layers and fluidity of the outer identities. It sometimes distorts meanings only to decode them from another angle; sometimes it disperses outer identities so it could rebuild them from the inside. At other times, it camouflages or over exaggerates certain individual elements in order to point to the whole or, on the contrary, to confront us with its absence.”
Editor’s comment: Sometimes we can decide what we’re looking at before all information is properly absorbed. This simplified sense of familiarity initially gives the viewer of this image a false understanding of the subject until we see the relaxed limb with no obvious origin, alerting us to a more intriguing composition. Photography for a long time was used to document and record factual aspects of events but this seemingly uncomplicated image reminds us we can never truly rely on the lens for fact as our perceptions will always get in the way.
IMAGE COURTESY OF TIM FRANCO
www.timfranco.com / @timfranco
“Bori. South Korea’s culture is famous for both its conservatism and conformism. Standing out is not usually recommended – the trendy kpop culture and the popularity of plastic surgery are pushing younger people towards becoming a generation of lookalikes fashioned after a very generic style of Kpop stars.. The country also has a long history of homophobia and, despite promoting itself as a modernised global player, is still socially very conservative. Christian groups can often be seen marching in popular districts parading homophobic slogans. In the business world, self expression and originality are usually overshadowed by strict conservative social and moral codes. Despite all this, the Drag scene has claimed a small place in Seoul and is slowly trying to challenge the overwhelming homogeneity.”
Editor’s comment: The subject takes a strong pose, confident and comfortable in their space and surrounding, even though it’s not normally encouraged to stand out in such a conservative society. This image gives a glimpse into the exciting scenes and sub-cultures bubbling under the surface of this city, waiting to be celebrate, and the lighting is just exquisite.
IMAGE COURTESY OF MARCIN T JOZEFIAK
www.mtjozefiak.com / @mtjozefiak
“These photographs are subsurface in their softness; an exploration of Korean subcultures and thus its diversity, and my subject, who may exude a toughness in other settings, is shown with vulnerability and humanity. The muted tones, the slight pop of the person being photographed from the background, the posing, and flowers, which together represent an idea of the fragility of form. For the series NOT FOR EVERYONE I explore the themes of gender, sexuality, gaze, and identity. The human body with the addition of flowers represents to me the same universal innocence, timelessness, and purity. I’ve decided that the best environment to capture the true essence of their character was to photograph each person in the studio environment. By adding the flowers as a part of the image I try to refer to the fragility of the human body.”
Editor’s comment: An immediate sense of calm and comfort exudes from this portrait, with muted tones and light complimenting the peace painted across the face of sitter. The tattoos are signpost to another side of the subject’s persona but for now one can enjoy this photograph for what it is. The photographer has a very good use and understanding of color.
IMAGE COURTESY OF ARUN NANGLA
www.arunnangla.com / @arun_nangla_photo
“The Gangasagar pilgrimage is held annually in India on the Sagar Island where the river Ganges enters the sea. The Ganges is a sacred river to Hindus. Hindu pilgrims believe that bathing in these waters cleanses them of their sins.”
Editor’s comment: There are few better expressions of the human body than play. This image of a boy jumping a stream as he joins the Gangasagar pilgrimage conjures up the collective feeling of the crowd – a glimpse of the excitement and joy to come. This could be key image as part of an editorial, but works just as well as a single image without need for caption or context.
IMAGE COURTESY OF FLORIAN NIDECKER
www.floriannidecker.com / @floriannidecker
Editor’s comment: A subtle image of soft colors and light with an astute use of shadow, and beyond that an element of somberness and fatigue that envelops the scene. The act of lying down can immediately put us in a vulnerable state, and here the implication on the body – rest, recovery, childbirth? – is left open-ended to intriguing effect.
IMAGE COURTESY OF MARILOU CHABERT
@marilouchabertpho
Editor’s comment: This vibrant use of color juxtaposed with a relaxed body pose, stirs up a mix of energy within this poetic image. I would have enjoyed reading more about the artist’s expression with this photograph, to help decipher what feels alluring but quite abstract.
