Photojournalism in black and white

This classic almost Henri Cartier-Bresson style moment is stunningly captured by the photographer in a split moment. The composition between the highlights in the mans outfit and women's deep shadows really visually tells the story of how women are treated in many parts of the world. We get to see the man and his confident pose whilst the others draped in black, their faces hidden as they stand in the opposite direction offers a stunning visual story. Technically it is so well crafted it is almost as if each person has been placed within the frame like a piece on a chess board. I'm sure the family are very happy but like many great images it offers alternative interpretations which give the photograph a wider meaning. Stunning capture.

This was so close to my top 10. This powerful reminder of a moment in history never to be forgotten is beautifully captured by the photographer. The high camera position and wide angle lens allows us to survey the scene from the three people huddled together looking at one of many stones that symbolize the suffering of the many behind the walls of this holding camp for Auschwitz back during WW2. This image would traditionally be used as the first image within a magazine story on the horrors of such camps. Great capture. Well done.

This beautifully weighted photograph highlights the plight and impossible task literally in front of the group of individuals who we see hard at work in the foreground of this well constructed formal image. The high contrast on the men works really well with the softer tonal range of the ship in the background and the monumental structure we partly see to the right of the frame breaks up the relationship between foreground and background very well. The ships name Amazon, ironic given a certain companies name and how they treat their employees. A breathtaking image that highlights aspects of work that would seem impossible to many westerners. Great capture.

This attention grabbing image is wonderfully captured by the photographer who's elevated position allows us the viewer to see the entire scene in front of us. In what is an image that hits home hard and offers a topical commentary on modern life for sadly far too many people. The dramatic camera angle and use of contrast and a shallow depth of field really highlights the woman walking with her child in the middle of the road. Our eye is taken along the white line across to the many people on the roadside and I wonder what is going on. A stunning image that asks questions and that can only be a good thing. A powerful image that has to be taken but not easy to do so. Well done.

This uncompromising image pulls no punches. We have to look and take notice of the signs that these dignified individuals coming together hold. The short telephoto lens used gives a tight crop on the scene so we get to witness the emotion of the individual faces and it is heartbreaking to see, but we must not look away and I'm sure that is the intention of the photographer who has made this powerful portrait. Well done.

This surreal image which offers a sense of the power of nature really stood out from the many examples of the relationship we have with the planet we inhabit briefly. The scale offered by the giant bolder gives us a sense of how small we are within the world and how powerless we are to control the elements . The almost solarised technique used with the vignetting in the corners really draws us to this unique capture which offers up many questions but gives so few answers. The shadow details created by the giant stone are really well controlled and the dark brooding sky which looks infrared only adds to the drama of this great image.

This emotive image stands as a quiet moment of remembrance to such a seismic event. The tight crop really works well as we see the hand highlighted against the darker granite memorial as it moves across the names. Such symbolism is powerful in photography and we do not need to see everything for an image to tell a story larger than the sum of its parts. Well done.

This classic visual capture has its roots in the golden era of documentary and journalistic work made by many Magnum photographers around the world sent out to record and document their findings. This great formal image is very well balanced from the flip flops placed on the ground next to the man asleep with his child on his chest. That in itself would have been a great image but by taking a step back and including the structure behind them we get a glimpse of the working patterns of the people so beautifully framed by the spaces in the wall. The crow perched above gives a sense of foreboding to the scene whilst overlooking the city. The high contrast works really well in what is a remarkable image. Well done.

This simple but powerful image has all the hallmarks that allow a great story to be told visually. We are given the information that this was once the cell of Nelson Mandela, that is enough to give the image its power. The shallow depth of field making the bars out of focus gives that sense of divide between inside and out. One is for freedom the other incarceration. We know how the story ends but this image acts as a reminder. Great capture. Very clever and well crafted.

I've chosen to review this image because of its powerful visuals that really draw me in. I'm not given any additional information about the context of the image or its subjects but i assume they could be sisters in this beautiful environmental portrait that you could create any number of narratives around. The sheer beauty in the picture making is beyond reproach and the relationship visually between the two girls makes this a great cinematic moment. Stunning.

This incredible image works on many levels. Technically it is beyond reproach. The quality of light hitting the main subjects highlighting even further there difference in skin tones to the others hiding in shadow around them. The expressions on their faces is haunting and their togetherness is obvious. This image speaks about them but it also is about how many people feel who do not fit in for many many reasons. It has often been said that to make people take notice of difficult situations that the image must be beautiful so that people do not turn away. This is one such example. A stunning image that I cant look away from. Congratulations.

This powerful and dramatic scene conjures up many memories of my own childhood, when signs like 'No Ball games allowed' became the standard in many inner city environments in the UK. This grim photograph tells the story of decline and neglect in modern Britain but I'm sure it could be in many other places as well. Visually the photographer has created real drama as our eye moves around the frame from the boy, his back turned an embodiment of youth today, the lack of jobs and places to exist in. The closed shops only add to that feeling of a dystopian system now broken. This technically stunning image really does talk about where we now are, but lets be positive for the future. Great capture. Well done.

This elegant image gives a voice to the many. We see so many images of individuals set within the street that sadly we become fatigued by them. They blur into the masses so lack the desired impact to make us sit up and notice. This unique image addresses that as I spend time reading the sign and even though I do not know the individual within the frame the hand gesture takes on a greater significance. A signal for help. The strong directional light on the sign and hands works really well against the jet black background. The simple composition allows us time to spend on the things that matter, the hands and sign without any clutter to distract us. This is one of the most powerful images of homelessness that I have seen. Very well done for making me look.