Welcome to your monthly Street Photography Magazine where we will be reviewing street photography photos taken by you on VSCO & Instagram using #trstreetmag. For a chance to be featured just use the hashtag in your latest posts, it’s FREE!
Welcome back everyone, I hope you've enjoyed the summer season and are looking forward to the last part of the year where we can enjoy doing Night Photography again as well as lots of other photo opportunities and seasons to come. In this month's blog we are going to do something a little different than usual with a new feature where we will be looking at artist's across the VSCO platform, understanding their use of composition and how that can improve your own photography. If you do like this style, feel free to contact me and let me know - I appreciate any feedback. Let's get onto our first section from VSCO's Selects Gallery.
VSCO Select's
In this section, we will review recent street photos that have stood out on the platform and why they've captured people's attention.
Taken by: @ilariacondizionata-
The first thing you notice is the five jets flying in a V-formation, with green, white, and red smoke, drawing your eye from the bottom left to the top right against the blue sky. The photo immediately conveys a sense of pride and protection, even if it isn't your own country. What stands out is the sense of togethernesses in their formation, emphasising teamwork and precision. The photo conveys a feeling of unity and pride, highlighting the disciplined, national identity, and awe, even in a city or street context.
Key Takeways: Look for ways to convey unity and movement in your photos. Consider how central composition and sharp focus can highlight the main subject. Think about the emotions or stories that naturally emerge from your subjects.
Taken by: @ajarmenta-
What standouts out most about this photo is the vibrant urban chaos combined with symmetry: the orange and white cones line with the road while two cyclists ride past, their bright colours contrasting with the structured background. The photo immediately feels dynamic yet balanced, capturing both motion and stability. The main subject is the tall white building, framed by the urban environment and symmetrical cones, while the cyclists add a secondary point of interest. Their vibrant clothing and movement create a visual contrast that draws the eye through the scene. The photo conveys a sense of controlled chaos in a city setting. The symmetry and geometry of the cones, combined with the motion of the cyclists, tells a story of urban life - how structure and spontaneity coexist in a cityscape.
Key Takeways: Use symmetry and leading lines to guide the viewer's eye. Introduce contrasting colours or moving subjects to add depth and interest. Look for ways that foreground and background elements interact to create a story.
Taken by: @cesinha
The first thing you notice is the depth and layering of the city, with historic Madrid in the background and people in the foreground. The blurred figures immediately create a sense of scale and immersion, drawing you into the scene as if you are peering over their shoulders. The main subject is the historic building in the distance, sharply in focus, while two people in the foreground are intentionally blurred. This selective focus emphasises the architecture while still including the human element to tell the story of city life. The photo conveys a sense of quiet oberservation and urban exploration. The layering of treetops, buildings, and blurred figures gives the viewer a feeling of being present in the scene, capturing both the essence of the city and the interaction between people and place.
Key Takeways: Use selective focus to highlight a subject while keeping other elements intentionally blurred to create depth. Layer foreground and background elements to give the photo a sense of scale. Consider the interaction between human figures and architecture to tell a richer story.
Understanding Composition
In this section, we will look at composition as a whole, the use of geometry, leading lines and framing, understanding how to use these three elements to bring a creative edge to your work.
Taken by: @fabio-webp
The minimalistic elements immediately draw the eye to the composition rather than the pigeons themselves. The two pigeons perched on the wire near the bottom provides a geometric anchor while leaving expansive negative space above. This framing emphasises balance and intentionality in the photo's design. The emptiness surrounding the subjects generates a calm, contemplative feeling, showing how simple elements can convey quiet narratives or evoke a sense of stillness.
Key Takeways: Look for minimal details in your framing. Think about how negative space can emphasise your subject. Consider what geometry can enhance your composition. Use framing and lines to create emotions and guide the viewer's attention to tell a story.
Taken by: @iadaramola
The warm orange of the sunset immediately draws the eye, while the puddle in the foreground reflects the sky, doubling the impact and creating a visually striking focal point. The puddle acts as a leading line, directing the viewer's gaze from the bottom of the frame toward the horizon. The low, floor-level perspective gives a fresh angle, emphasising the reflection balances the composition and makes the scene feel almost mirrored. The photo itself evokes a calm, contemplative mood, blending urban and natural elements. The partially cloudy sky and reflective puddle suggest a quiet moment of observation in the city, highlighting the beauty in everyday surroundings.
Key Takeways: Use reflections and floor-level perspectives to create interest and guide the viewer's eye. Leading lines and symmetry can give photos structure, while combining natural and urban elements can convey atmosphere and narrative.
The unusual framing immeditately draws the eye, making the ceiling window feel dynamic rather than static. The main subjects are the circular window and the small sun reflection, which together create a subtle diagonal flow across the image. The concentric rings of squares radiate outward, emphasising the architectural rhythm and geometric precision. The window is placed along the path of a golden spiral rather than dead centre, creating an off-centre balance that feels natural yet visually engaging. The diagonal reflection of sunlight adds a counterpoint to the circular forms, enhancing the overall spatial movement. The photo evokes a sense of awe, highlighting how light interacts with structure. The interplay of circular patterns, squares, and subtle reflection suggests harmony between man-made design and natural light.
Key Takeways: Explore alternative framing beyond the rule of thirds, such as golden spiral. Use geometric repetition to create rhythm and balance. Subtle light elements can guide the viewer's eye and add narrative interest, turning architectural details into storytelling tools.
Lighting and Mood
Lastly, we will look at how to use light to your advantage after finding the correct composition and framing, and how it can transform the overall mood of a photograph. We will also explore the storytelling aspect, highlighting key images that create a strong emotional connection.
Taken by: @alexandrenguyentai
The photo conveys intensity and focus, with bright backlighting creating drama while the cooler shadows on his face add calm and depth. It captures a performer immersed in his art, with the light and haze emphasising both the energy of the stage and the intimacy of the moment.
Key Takeways: This photo demonstrates how stage lighting can elevate the mood and narrative. The interplay of bright, hazy light with cooler shadows creates a layered emotional tone that captures both the power and vulnerability of live performances.
Taken by: @jaughnekow
The photo exudes a stylish, retro vibe, with the night time lighting and reflective puddles adding cinematic edge. It captures two models highlighting a fashion brand, with complementary red and blue outfits emphasising unity and style, while their relaxed poses convey confidence and attitude.
Key Takeways: Lighting and colour pairs can transform a simple urban location into a visually striking scene. Complementary colours, strategic flash placement, and posture all contrihute to mood, storytelling, and brand identity.
Taken by: @manotama13
The long exposure creates a dynamic, energetic atmosphere while the warm orange sunset adds a sense of calm and balance. The light trails of cars contrasted with the serene sunset highlight the interaction between urban movement and natural beauty, capturing the rhythm of city life.
Key Takeways: Use long exposure and natural light to amplify colours and motion. Combining dynamic elements with static ones can create contrast, depth, and mood in urban photography.
To get your chance to feature in this magazine every month just use the hashtag #trstreetmag in your VSCO & Instagram posts and for a chance to be interviewed about your work and creative process in my magazine.
Good Luck and Happy Shooting!