EDITORS’ PICK
The Mystery of Colors
COLORS
COLORS EDITORS’ PICK
Following Shana Lopes’ selection of winning images for our recent Colors competition, this compilation of 20 images represents some of the other talented photographers whose work struck us and left a mark. Each a stunning image worthy of exposure and attention…
When selecting for editor’s picks we’re always searching for those striking photographs that make for an unforgettable single image, whether from a broader series or not. We enjoy the accompanying text some photographers submit with their images, and while not always necessary it can be relevant when understanding the work in full context.
These are intended to be a conversation starter… so feel free to join the discussion on our social networks.
BANNER IMAGE: PETER JESCHKE
An image of the golden colors of the sunset reflected in ultra-modern glass buildings is a thoughtful mix between nature and the human-made world. The photographer cleverly frames this photograph, cutting out any unnecessary elements. Colors and textures fill the frame, enhancing the message and creating a visually appealing composition. – LIFE FRAMER
BARRY CROSTHWAITE
A vivid snapshot, this photograph captures the wholehearted joy colors bring to us regardless of our age, social status, or nationality. A simple pink balloon puts a smile on our faces and brings back childhood memories and, in some cases, a long-forgotten playfulness. The composition surfaces multiple layers, from a family’s business of selling colorful balloons, to a cultural background, to a glimpse of nature. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Family business, Jodhpur, India.
OLENA HASTILOW
The picture is a full-body portrait in which the colors and patterns of the outfit speak more than the model. By using a plain black background, the photographer creates a strong focal point and leads the viewer along the lines of the fabric. There is personal and cultural meaning in this photograph, the mix of inner and outer thoughts, the delicacy of the human face, and the strength of the traditional costume. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – The memory of India.
RENATA DUTRÉE
The photographer uses multiple techniques to transform still life into metaphoric representations. The artful blend of colors and details denotes a special artistic sensitivity, attention to detail, and storytelling ability. There is an undelayable femininity and gracefulness that stays with the viewer and invites them into a serene experience. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Various still life imagery using different lighting techniques like light-painting, dragging the shutter etc. to create metaphors for a self-portrait.
NOEL ROJO
It is clear that the photographer has waited for the decisive moment when the characters align, and the scene is complete. In this photograph, the scenography includes shadows and highlights, colors and neutral tones, and, of course, concepts of spirituality and tradition. It is a rich composition that requires time to reveal itself. Nevertheless, the striking colors of the two locked doors are key to the mystery of this picture. Evoking the Matrix, there is perhaps a choice of fate here: take the red door, or the blue door? – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Color is a very important part of component of my photographic process, when able I like to wait till the gestures and emotions of those I’m photographing align with the colors and mood of the scene.
KARGINA KSENIA
A fine art photograph with surreal touches and subtle reminders of Paul Gauguin’s paintings of Tahitian people. Even though colors are used only in the background, the palette choice (sand and sky) makes them stand out. The frame is dynamic, graceful and powerful at the same time, leaving the colors and lines to speak for themselves. The image is titled peace, and the colors evoke the flag of Ukraine. Whether this is deliberate or not, it’s hard to not infer this symbolism and message of hope. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Naked Landscapes: Peace, Chad 2021.
KYLE HOFFMANN
The photographer demonstrates an exquisite eye for color. The soft pastel tones of pink, yellow, and blue fill the frame with geometric shapes and infuse it with calmness. This abstract composition, artfully balanced, is built upon colors, and there is no need for anything else, not even a striking central subject. No disturbance, nothing to break the peace, just a beautiful puzzle one can spend hours looking at with no intention of solving it. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – From Pink – a series of work focused on the complex nature of pink. Pink is a persuasive colour and within different contexts can symbolize the sensual, exotic, threatening, calming, and many more.
CHARLES LU
The photographer captures the dance of a colorful fabric and its holders into a well-balanced, dynamic composition. By carefully choosing the camera position, the photographer provides the ideal background for this scene and makes good use of negative space. Smooth movements and total dedication, passion, and a profound connection between humans and the elements of the outdoors. – LIFE FRAMER
IVAN KNYAZEV
The photographer captures a splendid moment that existed only for a split second. The saturated green of the taxi makes an excellent focal point that brings together lights, rain, and movement. The street is in motion, busy, and vulnerable to the elements. Just like life. Wandering through the frame, the viewer has all the chance to find something familiar, something they can relate to. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Neon Downpour / Just imagine you’ve found a street photographer’s film by chance. What kind of person he is, what his preferences and views are, how many things he conceals from everybody and from himself as well. You possess only one shot to reveal all these and to look at this world through his eyes.
To be precise, with my eyes, because I am the photographer. Street photography is a possibility for me to have a rest from the shooting process where everything has been already planned and considered.
It is spontaneous and intuitive like a jazz improvisation. I give a reaction to this or that moment often not even realizing why I do it.
It is a good way to get around the mind traps and to show your real self and then while looking through everything you’ve shot, get acquainted with it better.
ANAIS STUPKA
Playing on skin color labels, the photograph conveys a powerful message, raising awareness of how easily we judge people based on exterior features. The blue skin of the model is emphasized by the red tone of the background, the blonde hair, and the red lipstick. It’s a familiar image, but something doesn’t quite align, inviting the viewer to step out of their comfort zone and give up old habits and misconceptions. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Lady in Blue.
ANNA LIGUS
A soft portrait, almost lyrical, with a reduced color palette made entirely of yellow tones, this photograph evokes a peaceful state. The lines of the face and shoulder lead the viewer’s gaze, emphasizing each element. There is an easiness and warmth that passes through the frame and reaches the viewer, encouraging them to just stop and breathe for a moment. – LIFE FRAMER
DAVID DHAEN
An ode to beauty and happiness, the composition uses color contrast to add details about the subject. The bright blue sky, her colorful clothes, and the detail in her accessories create a complete picture of who this woman is and what her mood is at the moment the photo is taken. The unusual shooting angle infuses the frame with motion, taking advantage of the wind. Overall, a well-balanced composition that conveys the emotions of all the people involved in it, model and photographer. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Gabra lady, Gaz, Northern Kenya.
GONZALO BOTET
Spirituality translated into colorful celebration is the main motif of this dynamic and rhythmic image. The photographer creates an environmental shot using a high camera angle and provides the viewer with a unique vantage point. The blend of colors and the high contrast between them and the dark background produce an artful effect and enhance the strength of the movements. An energetic shot that lures the viewer into the crowd, and paints the colors of Holi in a less often seen way. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Rhythms of Unity. Holi is a magical moment where spirituality manifests through vibrant celebrations. The sacred rituals give way to an explosion of joy that unites the community.
FILIPPOS MANOLATOS
An infrared picture is a creative way of infusing a scene with color. The photographer tells the story of a landmark, using shades of red to convey the religious, historical, and, in the end, universal aspects. The fallen church, the decayed cemetery, and the vegetation that takes over once again produce a rich landscape. Well-thought and beautifully composed, the photograph looks like a scene from an art-house film. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Relinquished (2024). Infrared photograph of the fallen bell tower near “Panagia Lamia” (Christian Orthodox Church in Kefalonia, Greece).
The tower was destroyed during the great Ionian earthquake of 1953 which struck Kefalonia and the surrounding islands with a magnitude of 6.8 on the Richter scale, reducing the island to ruins, leaving hundreds dead, thousands injured and many missing never to be found. There are no future plans for its restoration.
JONATHAN JASBERG
Colors were always part of humankind’s traditions. This intense composition documents a cultural event from a unique perspective, allowing color to take up half of the frame. The vibrant red, yellow, and blue tones and the fluidness of the fabric speak about continuity, beliefs, and commitment to keeping traditions and honoring cultural upbringings. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – March of the Yadav, India.
GREG MO
It’s incredible how much a yellow triangle of light can transform an otherwise blue world. The photographer captures the colors beautifully, allowing the other visual elements in the frame as shadows that enhance the story. Fascinated by a triangle of sunshine and an electric bulb, the viewer becomes eager to know more about this place and its stories. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Image captured on the Island of Flores, Indonesia: A blue world with a triangle of light.
ANNA KIRCHNER
The beautiful colors of a glacier on a pink background produce an impressive scene. The photographer allows the colors to take center-stage, using a simple and straightforward composition that enhances textures and details. One can almost feel the cold, the freezing smooth touch of the glacier, and the weak warmth of the sun. It depicts the raw beauty of nature at its best. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Iceland frozen times: An impressive trip on the glacial lake in Iceland. The eternal ice with its enclosed stone particles tell a long story of time and appear like frozen, rising waves. The beautiful colors of the glacier ice combine in a fairytale way with the delicate pink of the Arctic evening sky.
MAURO GARCIA
The colorful and vibrant clothes of the women speak about their traditions and cultural environment. The photographer captures the clash of the prints but the unity of the spirit. The composition is busy, and the colors provide a lot to take in. However, the simplicity of the spiritual message balances everything out, offering space and food for thought. – LIFE FRAMER
PIERRE BANOORI
A street parade is a good place for a photographer seeking colors. The costumes, the multitude of colors, and the happy atmosphere find their place in the frame. Thanks to an interesting camera position, the elements are fluid, perfectly blended into the background, and on the move. The low vantage point suits this composition like the masks of its subjects. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – In the 18th century Jesuits came to Brazil and introduced a theatrical representation of the story of Charlemagne; with a spectacle depicting christian knights defeating muslim moors: these are the Cavalhadas. This was done with the mission of catechising the indigenous and African-slave populations. The parties were reserved for the rich whites. So the slaves, the natives, and the poor of Pirenópolis decided to take matters into their own hands. Covering themselves head to toe as to remain unidentifiable, they would take to the streets to demonstrate and disrupt the festivities.
These are the curucucús, and they have evolved to become the icons of the Cavalhadas.
HAJIME HIRANO
The photographer captures a busy moment in a busy city when all the lights are on, and all the people are in the street. It is a colorful reminder of the importance of human connection and interaction. They are so powerful but also so fragile elements of our world. We can use them to enjoy life or destroy it. The monument to a soldier center-frame, ignored by everyone but the viewer, only acts to emphasize this point. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Before COVID-19.
