Haunting

Last night I visited the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House. As an avid photographer I was really looking forward to viewing some of the best photography in the world and hopefully gaining some invaluable tips on creating that iconic image.

The exhibition was rich with talent across 15 categories but what struck me most was one trend amongst the contemporary photography. Subject matter. Even though the categories ranged from portraiture to travel to current affairs, the image may have been stunning but once you read the biog by the side of each picture, the sense of sobriety seemed to quadruple in seconds and give you goosebumps as you looked at the image again.

Take a look at this portrait by Andrea Gjestvang....

This lady is a young survivor of the Utøya massacre

I felt that the uncomplicated, uncontrived portrayal of each victim revealed a huge level of trust between the photographer and her subjects that enabled her to show the trauma that had shaken their young lives whilst maintaining a sense of respect and dignity.

As a visual person I love images that make you look twice or make you linger longer. For me this image by Christian Aslund does just that, it is beautifully graphic, perfectly executed, makes you wonder at the perspective and is simply, yet wonderfully humourous. It reminds me of a computer game!

My favourite image was by Valerio Bispuri from his multi year project, Jails Sud America, it sums up the whole mood and atmosphere of the series. It is incredibly powerful and evocative, with just the force and form of one pair of eyes, you feel the intensity and suspicion of those incarcerated thousands of miles away. His whole series impressed the judges for its consistent approach and style as he shot in prisons across many countries and years, you can really feel the ‘eye’ of the photographer in this work.

Just sublime.