Top Five Photographs of 2023
As we begin the new year, I looked through Time Magazine’s top ten photographs of 2023 and chose my personal favorite five of the list to deconstruct. The five images I chose are incredibly powerful in their narratives, composition, color, and overall impact. Let’s jump into the list, starting with number five.
5. ‘Buenas Suerte’ and ‘Bienvenidos’ by photographer Go Nakamura
At first glance, my eyes are immediately drawn to the child flying between the two groups of people across the river. This is an incredible moment caught by the talented Go Nakamura. Both the timing and settings that were required to snap this image is impressive. Not only is this photograph technically impressive, but Nakamura was able to create a narrative that truly impacts any person that is looking at the image. Instinctively, I hold my breath as I see the child in the air because I do not want to see a him hurt. You would think that there would be more people looking over at the child in mid air, but notice most people are not even paying attention. This is because this is their reality. Danger and risk is a part of their everyday life. They too are afraid. They too are taking a lead of faith. They too have no other choice but to dangerously go from one place to another. The child in mid air is a reflection of what everyone else in this frame is experiencing. The river below the child is a reflection of the danger that lies beneath all of these people as they journey into an unknown land. This image evokes different emotions across different viewers as some may feel fear while others may feel anger. Some may see a path of opportunity while others may see crime. This is an amazing photograph both technically and artistically.
4. ‘Continue to Tell the Story’ photographed by Mohammed Salem
Here we see a moment of fear captured by the talented photographer Mohammed Salem. The position of both subjects is incredibly powerful as we feel their fear through the screen. The colors of the clothing they are wearing pop from the background which helps the impact of the photograph. We are able to sympathize with the individual, even without seeing a face. That just comes to show how powerful the image is. We can clearly see the hand over the face of the child wrapped in white and we con only begin to imagine what is going through the minds of both people who are put in such a horrible position. This image is a reflection of the horrors of war and the effects it has on the most vulnerable. It is a reflection of the horrors that are happening on a daily basis. The lines of the tile and the floor and on the wall behind the subjects lead us back to the subject in despair. Truly a remarkable and heartbreaking photograph.
3. ‘Balancing Roles’ photographed by Nico Knoll
Capturing a great photograph in black and white is a difficult task, but this image is a clear example of how powerful it can be when done correctly. There is a great range of different tones and deep contrasts in the darkest areas which add a level of intensity to the story. The brightest parts of the image are not distracting which is also part of the photo’s strength. The mid tones are balanced perfectly from corner to corner. It is important to note that there is a lack of faces in this entire photograph, yet we can still feel the emotion and movement clearly. There are a couple of hands that pop from the image that help emphasize the chaos that is happening while this photograph was taken. There was truly a high level of skill demonstrated by the photographer in order for him to be in such a chaotic environment yet still capturing a stunning moment with the proper settings.
2. ‘Continue to Listen and Not Look Away’ photographed by Nicole Hester
This photograph holds a weight and power to it that is incredibly palpable. Beginning with the composition, it is truly stunning. There are multiple elements that support the subject which in this case is the crying student. We see the use of frame in a frame, repetition, leading lines, and text which all support the subject. The subject’s pose and expression draw us in and make us feel a combination of different emotions. Sadness, despair, anger, and hopelessness are a couple of immediate feelings that circulate my mind as I see this powerful image. It is a reminder of the ongoing issue of gun violence that we face as a nation. It really encapsulates the suffering that is experienced by our society’s most vulnerable group of people, which is our nation’s children. Although it is a photograph that highlights a truly awful event, the photograph is also a powerful tool that can be shared to help inspire more people to respond for change.
1. ‘Acting on Instinct’ photographed by Amit Elkayam
Last but certainly not least, my favorite photograph captured in 2023. It is an incredibly tense photograph to look at which is what makes a great photograph work. Let’s start with the exposure. At first glance, the image may seem underexposed, but as your eye navigates the whole frame, you begin to see how well it is actually exposed. The contrasts are deep, the highlights are not distracting, and the detail in the mid-tones are perfect. Next, we can look at the composition. The large group of people create a natural “U” shape that surrounds the flames lit at this gathering. The person at the center of the frame really draws me in and I feel completes the photo perfectly. The two flags add context to the scene as well. Overall, this photograph looks like it was pulled from a sci-fi movie. The photograph is encapsulating what seems like a hellish environment during a time in human history that is unsettling. Truly a remarkable photograph by the talented Amit Elkayam.
