Ageing and the Elderly

I really like this frame but there's a better picture in there and it has to do with more careful framing. I like that there's space to the figure's right that he's staring into and I like the expression but the exposure is just on the edge of the acceptable with the highlights just about to blow and I'd liked to have seen a small amount more of his elbow and cane just to make the image 'breathe'. That said this is a very strong portrait.

There's a real grace here - not just in the faded beauty of a once clearly glamorous woman but a photograph that captures an elegant and serene elder whose face is a mirror of time itself. The image I think is respectful, simple and balanced with the blossom making a striking and colourful counterpoint to a well executed portrait.

I really like this. The photographer has managed to capture elements of both melancholy and happiness in the woman's face. The violin player and his bow lead us right into the action and the central figure is nicely delineated from the accordionist. Compositionally it's pretty harmonious: and we can read from left to right until we get the father and child. Nicely done.

One of the very few entries that actually celebrates the ravages of age on the body in a carefree and joyful way. The simplicity of the image and naturalness of the expression means that this is a worthy winner. I like the straightforward composition (although I'd like a clearer definition between main subject and barman) and the directness of the message. Good effort.

I really like the incongruity of this frame: the heads (literally) floating between waves and clouds. I also like the simplicity of the composition; it's pretty straightforward but speaks volumes about the couple's relationship. I also like the fact that, because of the angle, it feels we're also in the water with them. Simple and effective.

I think that this is delightful. It's very simple and that only heightens the impact. Firstly, I really like the subtle palette of the colours - it adds to what I suspect is a woman who is calm and unphased by much. I like the shallow depth of field that keeps us locked-in in what I think might be a very cluttered room full of detail. And talking of detail, the quietness allows us to see small things like the frayed cuff. Lovely effort.

I can see what you're trying to do here and it almost works. However, either we are looking at an entirely abstract image that works because of colour or light or we are trying to describe visually what we see - and older woman on a bus. This is neither but the idea is a strong one and I'd like to see you continue looking. Sometimes these images are about fractions of seconds where light falls on someone and it's about being ready (thinking about what might happen) to capture it. Keep pushing. Well done.

Let me say first of all that I really like this image for its simplicity and its graphic nature. There are however two issues that bother me. Firstly, the title. When we're thinking about naming an image, it should 'prove' what we see. This could additionally be called 'the argument'. I'm sure that the couple are in love but the picture doesn't necessarily say that. Secondly the composition. How much stronger would it be if the photographer a had moved in a little bit closer and by careful framing omitted the stray feet under the bench and the people in from of the couple. Good effort but using a shallow depth of field that does help... and despite my criticisms this is remains a strong image. Well done.

What do they say? Never shoot into the sun? Well, that's usually true but some rules are there to be broken. Especially if you have a line of trees essentially obscuring the direct light. Nice, simple composition: I like the straight lines that the frames forces us down with the path and the trees and I like that the figure's illuminated just enough (perhaps aided by a bit of snow reflection?). A good image that captures both the frailty and determination of ageing.

A rather haunting image. I'm always a little suspicious when a photographer interprets what a subject might be thinking or imposes a narrative on an image but in this case whether the woman is lost in her memories or just looking down the street does give us a sense of regret or at least apprehension. Sometimes it's very tricky to capture that glance but with a really shallow depth of field the photographer's done well here to capture a moment.

Without singling out this entry for overt scrutiny, I use it as an example of a good deal of entries on this theme. It's clear that the photographer has seen an interesting moment, has identified that the group contains elderly people and has decided to capture the moment. But in terms of a photograph, what does it really show us? Is this image about a conversation between friends? A street scene? Covid? A dog? A photograph is a way not simply to record what the camera sees but what you want to say about that. Part of that process is making an image readable and to do that you have to make the viewer understand what they're looking at. We do that by framing what we want (usually) in an interesting and definite way. We might do that by aesthetic composition utilising shape or form or some kind of interaction - getting closer/engaging with the subject. We might do that by deciding what is important in the picture. Well done for seeing something here but a lot more work is needed to make a photograph than to simply take a photograph. Keep going.

This is a lovely and touching moment - and this image ticks those boxes... but how much stronger would it be as a photograph if the exposure was better? Sadly the highlights are blown and the shadows are deep and very dark. A manual meter here might have solved the issue rather than relying on the camera to do the (incorrect) heavy lifting. Nicely seen however and we'll done for creating a moving and well composed image.

I'm struggling a bit here with this frame to be honest. It's not that the intent to convey emotion is not there - I'm sure it is - but it's entirely impersonal. When we engage people in our images we don't always need to speak to them or have them grinning into our lens but in order to evoke a response in the viewer we need to show exactly what the frame is about. I can see your motivation but either patience or a different framing would have helped. So might in this instance a bit of dialogue with the subject - you never know what comes from a conversation - even with an elderly Hasid (?) who might refuse a picture... Anyway, well seen and a good intention.

One can't help but be moved by the sentiments behind this frame. There's a real raw honesty as to what ageing looks like and a real sadness in the gesture. I suspect that this may be a 'selfie' as it's shot on an iPhone and while that's OK, as a photograph it means that it lacks the balance and space of a conventional frame. I like it very much but I want it to be a little more to allow both faces to breathe in the composition.

Very tricky image. Both to take and to judge. I think that you've made a quiet and compassionate image here in a very difficult circumstance. It seems almost churlish to ask how we might improve it but I always think we owe it to the subject to make the best image we can. In this case, a tiny bit more thought - despite the difficulties of the situation. I can see it's shot on a phone and so judging space is difficult but two corners of the bed are obscured as is the right hand frame. I don't know what was there but additionally a slightly lower viewpoint (that still includes the medical instructions on the wall above) would have made this more impactful. Well done for this image as it stands however.