Top 10: 2009 favourite images

After one year in business, we’ve created a top 10 list of our most favourite images, taken in 2009. These images are our favourites for various reasons, all based from our perspective, as photographers. Some are also favoured by designers and buyers, but the sales statistics of each of the images below only play a peripheral role in their placement.

1		The Nightclub. It’s the interaction and expressive nature that takes this image to the number one spot of our favourite images for 2009. The lines and interaction between the people in this photo, together with the bright, vibrant tones of the nightclub are quite appealing.
2		The Speed skater. Typically a niche image (After all, how many people are interested in speed skating, world wide), but its selling remarkably well. Especially during the Vancouver Olympic games. The dark background, the bright suit of Willem, and the scraping on the ice, seemingly surrounding the skater work well together in a slick, strong image, even more emphasised by the tense, concentrated look of Willem.
3		The Bar. Originally spotted by Bas, then executed and perfected by Hugo, this almost monochromatic image is a worthy candidate for the top 3. The slight diversion from perfect symmetry, the tones, are nice. But the strength of this image lies not with what the image physically depicts, but within what isn’t been shown. The mood and atmosphere are effectively captured in this photo.
4		The Engineer. A clean image, and without doubt, or biggest seller. The wide angle distortion of the flat screen monitors and the pensive look of Bas makes this office image powerful, and very versatile in its uses. Because it’s rather posed with a bit too much clutter in the background, this image isn’t the number one in this list, but it definitely belongs here.
5		The Fighter. The shoot was a one-man venture of Bas, and the processing the out-of-the-box idea of Laurens. The combination works extremely well. A powerful, grim, and aggressive feel of a Muay Thai fighter. To me, the strenght in this image is mostly created by the eye, peeking through the gloves, creating a connection with the viewer.
6		Changing a tire. It’s the expression that mostly makes this image.Also, the classy look of Sharon, changing a tire on a rural road creates a strong contrast in this image. The windmill in the background probably makes this image a bit too specific for “general” use, but it depicts the need for being self-supporting and hands-on when traveling nicely. A genuine expression, and a feel of freedom in this image, don’t you think?
7		The Meeting. We expected a lot from this image – sales wise – but it didn’t happen. Still, I like the power in this image. The angry, agitated, boss, calling everyone to attention, whilst his team’s reactions are less committing. For me, it’s the expressions which make this image. Non-committing, looking for excuses, the “I told you so” look of the guy sitting at the head of the table… I just like this one.
8		Feet by the fire. I like the feel and coziness of this image. Mainly, because it reminds me of my visit to Paradise Lodge in Mount Rainier National Park, or at least how I remember it. The feel of intimacy, and warming your feet by a log fire after a long hike on a cold, snowy winter’s day in this image is also told by the peripherals outside the image. A personal favorite, not necessarily one for everyone.
9		Studying in the park. Bright and sunny, a relaxed feel, mixed with a spoonful of seriousness and responsibility. A great shot by Maurits. I like the upward line from lower left to upper right in this image, created by the knoll and the arrangement of people. The closely cropped composition, and the various books, folders are well thought through. Also, the groupings, with the people in the background working together, and the man in front reviewing his notes by himself create quite a strong image.
10		The White collar criminal. I believe this is a well-executed, strong conceptual image. The grim look, the blatant display of the cash, and the rugged jail door work well together. The idea behind this image was to take a (micro)stock cliche, and take it out of the ordinary. The stereotype image of hands, clasping rods of a jail came to mind, and we mixed it with a contemporary issue of white collar criminality.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 31st, 2009 at 08:57 and is filed under Feature posts and tagged with 2009, corepics, Models, Photography, photoshoot, Top 10. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.