Decisive Moments
Clara

Decisive Moments

April 2024

Expert
winner

So many wonderful elements perfectly aligned to create this stunning composition. The silhouetted figure holding the brolly lofted below the Angel graffiti is beautifully timed by the photographer with the figure centrally placed between the dark squares on either side of the young boy.. The snow works so well against the backdrop and adds that extra element to the picture. The technique is flawless which is not easy with the flurry of snow in the scene. A classic example of the decisive moment where all elements are aligned in perfect order. Superb. A fantastic eye catching image which would grace any gallery wall. Very well done.

853 Images entered

Sometimes its best to situate close to the action on the street but far enough away to not be visible. This is a fantastic example of the decisive moment and showcases the photographers great skills at anticipating where the action will take place and having the eye to make such a impactful image. All the elements from the blur of the lady in the foreground to the man walking into shot in the right hand are smaller parts to the main area of interest. The couple kissing. It's a tender and loving moment captured to perfection through a window frame. The use of black and white adds to the classic documentary feel of the picture. Great technique and a real observational capture. Brilliant.

200 Photographers

Brief

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**This contest is open to photographers ranked between 1 and 250 in this week’s <a href="https://www.photocrowd.com/photographer-community/">Leaderboard</a>.** 'The Decisive Moment' was the title used in English for Henri Cartier-Bresson’s 1952 photobook ‘Images a la Sauvette’ (transl. 'Images on the Run'). It encapsulates those fleeting moments of human behaviour that the photographer has a split-second to capture. Sometimes these are unexpected events , but other times, as Cartier-Bresson sometimes did, a location is staked out and the photographer waits for events to unfold in ways that might be somewhat anticipated beforehand. Cartier-Bresson taught us that photographers should always have their cameras to hand, and that a dedication to documenting the everyday world will undoubtedly be rewarded. Whilst there are many ‘decisive moments’ in other photographic genres, this contest is more focussed on street and documentary photography of the kind Cartier-Bresson focussed on.

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Entry 20010913
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