EDITORS’ PICK
Songs of Innocence
YOUTHHOOD
Youthhood Editors’ Pick
“Adults are just obsolete children and the hell with them.” – Dr. Seuss
Following Wilfrid Estève’s selection of winning images for our YOUTHHOOD theme, this compilation of 20 images, selected by the Life Framer editors 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.
Banner image courtesy of Mitch Cullin.
www.mcullin.com and Instagram: @mitchcullin1
Editor’s comment: “This image shows the determination and the force of a group. I’m drawn to the use of black and white photography because it adds drama and contrast, and creates something a little more timeless too.”
Image courtesy of Landon Yost.
www.landonyost.com and Instagram: @landonyost
Editor’s comment: “There’s so much to read in this image – a story beautifully told. The visual symmetry of the mother with baby and her little son with his is satisfying and his expression cuts through. Bold colors add some pop too. Brilliantly observed.”
Image and text courtesy of Tijana Pakic from her series Digital Natives.
“Technology has made a big change for the new generations. It became a very popular topic for psychologists and sociologists as well. That resulted in the use of labels such as ‘digital native’, ‘the net generation’, ‘Google generation’, ‘The Millennials’. My focus is on children between 7 and 10 years of age, the age when children mostly don’t create their social media profiles yet and they still don’t have their social network identity. I take photographs of them in a very traditional style. There’s nothing spectacular in my visual approach – this manner of studio photography already exists for some 150 years. But what I seem to find interesting is to show the new generation without any elements that could define them as digital natives – smartphones, tablets and computers. The kids I portray are not dressed in today’s fashion style, they look pretty much serious – but not because they are sad but because they are free to act in their natural way and to stay in their natural mood.”
www.tijanapakic.com and Instagram: @tijanapakic
Editor’s comment: “Growing up is wonderful but it’s the hardest thing we do in life. This image catches expression and poetry. I appreciate the color choices, the strong focal point, and the simplicity of the composition.”
Image courtesy of Brendon Kahn.
www.brendonkahn.com and Instagram: @brendonkahn
Editor’s comment: “This image is colorful and playful. The contrast between the landscape and the subjects is well used. I appreciated the space left in front of the boys, which helps create a sense of freedom.”
Image courtesy of Piotr Chrobot.
www.chrumo.com and Instagram: @chrumo
Editor’s comment: “Attitude is very important for a child and it’s not easy to catch it in a frame. I’m drawn to the connection between photographer and subject, the ability to do candid photography, and the minimalism used in this composition.”
Image and text courtesy of Steffen Junghanß from his series The Invisible Border.
“This project portrays the life in and around Mejvriskhevi – a small Georgian village in the South Caucasus. The people who are living here are facing the consequences of the war between Russia and Georgia in August of 2008.”
www.steffenjunghanss.com and Instagram: @steffenjunghanss
Editor’s comment: “In this image the landscape is used very well as background to frame the children’s game. The composition is simple but efficient, and the river is wisely used to lead the eye through the image. The vivid colors help to bring some “wow factor” too.”
Image courtesy of Michael Koch.
www.michael-koch.org and Instagram: @michaelkoch.artist
Editor’s comment: “This image shows the ability to work with colors, textures and tonal contrast. It’s poetic and melancholic. I appreciate the artistic vision of the photographer and the ability to use technique in his favor.”
Image courtesy of Giedo Van Der Zwan.
www.giedovanderzwan.com and Instagram: @giedovanderzwan
Editor’s comment: “Here’s a picture with a message, with text and symbols used to support that message. I appreciate the use of shadows and light, the soft color palette, and the silhouettes in the background. The way the girl’s face and her and her father’s hands are highlighted is quite wonderful – the adult-child connection is clear and yet she stands alone.”
Image and text courtesy of Kevin Lajoie from his series Saudade.
“Saudade is a Portuguese word roughly meaning “a feeling of missingness”. Like melancholy it is a feeling of a memory that cannot be recreated. More than anything its a longing for a past time which I have interpreted as childhood.”
www.photolajoie.com and Instagram: @photolajoie
Editor’s comment: “A fantastic example of candid photography. Using a monochrome composition is the perfect choice for this family scene, which humorously examines character traits in different stages of life. The image shows storytelling abilities and a strong engagement with the subject.”
Image courtesy of Luisa Carcavale from her series My Beautiful Body.
www.luisacarcavale.it and Instagram: @luisa.carcavale
Editor’s comment: “This image has a good color contrast and an interesting subject. The entire composition leads you to the subject’s face. I appreciate the natural aspect of the skin and the assured use of lighting.”
Image and text courtesy of Lars Just.
“Alani watches the surrounding forest recover from a recent slash and burn while the air around her is thick with pollution. This day is a record high on the Air Quality Index in Laos with the small town of Luang Prabang reaching 176AQI – twice as bad as Beijing and three times higher than Bangkok. Claiming over 46 million lives every year, more people die from air pollution than from automobile accidents and the numbers are on the rise.”
Editor’s comment: “It’s playful, childish, and sweet. The tonal contrast works very well here. I appreciate the use of vertical lines and portrait framing to express growing up.”
Image courtesy of Federico Frangi.
www.federicofrangi.com and Instagram: @federicofrangi
Editor’s comment: “Using the rule of thirds was a good idea in this composition. It gives a strong background but also allows the viewer to focus on the determined boy. I can see there’s a story behind this picture and I’m eager to find it.”
Image and text courtesy of Tim Coad from his series Hard Waste.
“The hard waste rested on the gutter. We rested too.”
www.timcoad.com and Instagram: @timcoad
Editor’s comment: “This image has a special style, almost vintage. I enjoy the soft colors and the lighting. There’s a story there also. The image shows how an ordinary subject (moving day) can become interesting when the right angle and perspective are used.”
Image and text courtesy of Guillaume Flandre.
“A kid looks at the crowded beach in Margate, UK with a lollipop in his hand.”
www.guillaumeflandre.com and Instagram: @gflandre
Editor’s comment: “In this image I appreciate the perspective and the angle of shooting that conveys a strong message. Looking to the future is specific to childhood, as is the idea of some things being just out of reach. The use of lines and geometry is particularly strong. It’s very easy to remember this photo.”
Image and text courtesy of François Struzik.
“This is from a series of photos dedicated to adolescence – its strengths, its weaknesses, its future. My aim was to capture in an undefined way what could be their dreams, hope,s strength, but also their failure and losses. Their identity and future seem to me insecure.”
www.simplyhuman.be and Instagram: @simplyhumanphotography
Editor’s comment: “This gritty landscape is difficult to use in relation to youth. Still, this image creates a metaphor in an open window to a better future. I appreciate the contrast between the bright colors of the exterior and the neutral colors of the interior, and that every line in this image points to the exterior space – revealing the ability to use geometry in a meaningful manner.”
Image courtesy of Reza Bagheri.
Instagram: @rezabagheri.photo
Editor’s comment: “In this image I appreciate the use of neutral colors – they absorb the boy into the scenery, one and the same, and help convey a dramatic message. It’s a strong composition, well-balanced, and sharp. It’s impressive and easy to remember.”
Image courtesy of Ash Danielsen.
www.adamborman.com and Instagram: @bormanadam
Editor’s comment: “This image shows a photographer who has found his style and artistic voice. It’s abstract and has a surreal air, brilliantly personifying that familiar adolescent attitude. The use of strong colors and contrast is particularly appreciated.”
Image courtesy of Seungwook Lee.
www.leeseungwook.com and Instagram: @seungwook1974
Editor’s comment: “This well-balanced composition uses color in a very intelligent way. It’s interesting and appealing. I appreciate the ability to see a good composition in an ordinary situation.”
Image and text courtesy of Charlotte J Ward.
“This photograph is of a 12 year old boy named Anderson whom I met in Rio Branco, Brazil last February 2019. I took this portrait of him in the house where he lives with his adoptive family.”
www.charlottejward.com and Instagram: @charlotte.jward
Editor’s comment: “I appreciate the use of light and shadows, the ability to work in low lighting conditions, and the sharpness of this photo. Sun rays give an optimistic feeling and add a new dimension to this story.”
Image and text courtesy of Ella Fitzgerald.
“In this image I wanted to explore the symmetry and connectedness of identical twins. Together since birth they share a unique bond like no other sibling. They embody the visual doubling of a single human being. With their eyes looking straight into the camera and captured at such closeness to the lens you begin to draw similarities and differences between them.”
www.ellamayphoto.com and Instagram: @ellamayphoto
Editor’s comment: “This image is strong and shows good technique and imagination. I enjoy the game of symmetries and the soothing sensation left by the image. I also appreciate the soft colors and very strong focal point. With a close composition such as this, we can appreciate the girls’ differences, as well as their obvious similarities.”
