Results June 2015 forum competition – Local Hero
For the June forum competition I wanted to get you thinking in quite experimental and unusual ways – you had a sliver of an idea and then you had to develop it. Some of you went with it; some of you didn’t. This is perhaps the lowest turn out we’ve had for a forum month, and that sorts of makes me proud. I have to take some good from it.
This month I wanted you to turn to page four of your local newspaper, identify the story with the least amount of coverage and go out and shoot something that represents that story. I have to say, the entries that were entered were pretty strong. Notable among them was ‘We Have to Decide’ by Luisport that illustrates a political discussion. I was also rather fond of lm1’s Postal No Go Zone, and image that was inspired by a story detailing postmen refusing to enter a rat-infested street.
As there were so few entries, it seems a little pointless doing a shortlist or a top three, so we’ll go straight into the winner.
Not just a voice in the crowd – Photo by LeslieSM
‘Not Just a Voice in the Crowd’ by LeslieSM
There’s a lot going on here that I like, but one thing that could have been slightly improved. We’ll get to that though. What I like is the look of bliss on this gentleman’s face. It’s not joy, or simple contentment. It’s something a little more transcendental than that. This is a guy in his element, who, as Leslie tells us, never once took his eyes off the stage. I know that feeling. I love going to see live music and sometimes you discover a band or artist who leaves you hypnotised. Leslie has caught a lovely moment here (actually this looks to be the one occasion he did in fact take his eyes off the stage).
I love the way he’s dressed, the black & white, the grain. Look to the background and you’ll get a sense of where this shot have been slightly improved. Leslie mentions in her explanatory copy that people clearly a lot younger than him surrounded the man. It would have been nice to see a little more of that. We’d get a clearer sense of the scene and the fact that this older gentleman stands out. That said, I like the way its been cropped and that would have been lost with a wider shot. I guess that makes my complaint a minor quibble. As it is, I really enjoy this and I can only aspire to be like cheeky chappy when I get older.
See the themes for the 2015 competition
Look at all the entries for this round
Read all comments for this round, Coming to Life
Leave your comments for winning pictures for this round
