Spotting Good: A PhotoPlay Invitation

It was a cold December evening six years ago. I missed my train and was sitting in a frigid London underground, blowing vapor circles into my hands and hoping for warmth. He entered the station unassumingly. He was wresting something from his coat. He glanced this way and that, nervously, but underneath the hooded stare, I saw no guilt; no shame. Just introversion. The object came free and he began shaking the can of spray paint vigorously.

I had never before seen a graffiti artist in motion. It was poetic, like live theatre let me tell you. He started with the "g" but I lost track of the letters as I watched his hands and body move. When my eyes focused again, "G.O.O.D." was the impression left on brick.

It seemed less like vandalism than art afraid of expression. He left, and a busker with a lonely harmonica replaced him. Good, indeed.  

PhotoPlay

Good art shows up in the most unexpected places, and yet it's all around us. In this week's PhotoPlay prompt, I'm wondering how you spot good photography. Here are a few ways I personally consider it good:

1. Its details evoke emotion:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sebastien-laban/4146426817/sizes/o/in/faves...

2. It is clean and empty and open:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sucremina/4261203283/in/faves-claireburge/

3. It employs clever composition:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/92222485@N00/1430127956/in/faves-claireburge/

4. It is everyday, seen differently:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidkosaco/4751131980/in/faves-claireburge/

5. It transports:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/92222485@N00/2889122247/in/faves-claireburge/

6. It is momentary:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26605933@N06/5174873096/sizes/l/in/contacts/

7. It is elusive and therefore captivating:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marie94/5156040710/in/contacts/
 

For next week...

• Find 5 images from 5 different photographers.
• Blog about what makes those images good.
• Take a good image yourself after being inspired, and share it in your post.
• Share your link with me in the comments at High Calling Focus for a feature in next Friday's gallery here at The High Calling.

Graffiti at Georgetown by Garbage Kingdom. Used with permission. Post by Claire Burge.

• Tags:  
• culture
• photography
• photoplay

Other Culture Articles

Creating a High Calling Culture
by Sam Van Eman

56

Election Lessons
by Dena Dyer

32

Most Popular Posts

Start-Up Lessons: Raising the Bar
by Claire Burge

42

What to Expect When You're...
by Jennifer Dukes Lee

80

We recommend logging in before posting comments

Reader Comments