I’ve finally finished my review of all the images, but before I reveal my choice of the “winner” I have a few comments.
One thing I noticed was that for whatever reason, this theme resulted in people submitting sets of multiple images, and in each of those cases, all or many of those images worked very well together. So far, we who participate in the MSA haven’t considered accepting sets of images as a single entry, but it might be worth considering doing so in the future.
Now on to the images themselves. All but one of the images was posted to the thread itself. The exception is The Flying Camera’s - “Russell Square Tube Stairs”, which has a lot going for it in that it is graphic, geometric and includes the always attractive sign “Way Out”.
Continuing we have three more images posted by The Flying Camera in the thread - “Underground Station, King's Cross”, “Pennyfarthing” and “Greek Temple, British Museum”.
I supplied the title for “Pennyfarthing, while the other titles came from the photographer’s uploads to the MSA galleries
“Underground Station, King’s Cross” is transit at its core, and its combination of context, movement and a point of view that anyone who has ever taken a subway will sure recognize makes it a strong entry.
“Pennyfarthing” is a very strong photograph, and the idea of using such a bicycle for transit is fascinating.
I really like the use of movement in “Greek Temple, British Museum” and any reference to a museum is in my mind a reference to traveling (or transiting) in time. Good idea.
Bertus submitted three sets of images, with the first set consisting of three images - “Where is my Tree 1", “Where is my Tree 2" and “Where is my Tree 3" - which chronicle preparations for sending the logs which are the product of some logging work to their next destination, which is most likely a sawmill. As someone who lives in a Province where the logging industry was once the major industry, it wasn’t hard for me to imagine these logs travelling on trucks or trains to the sawmill - I’ve seen such transit countless times. The images are good, but the story they predict is better.
NedL - gave us “Transit Mall” - the only colour entry this time, and both instant colour and a pinhole image as well. The colour is wonderful and subtle, the mood is fantastic, and it is obviously totally on target for the theme
Bertus’ second set of images - “Transferium 1", “Transferium 2" and “Transferium 3" - all depict a fast ferry transfer station/berth. I am not sure why he wonders about whether they fit the theme because they are squarely on subject. Together, they give a good sense of how active the site might sometimes be. I particularly like the patterns formed by what I assume are the painted lines directing where people should walk - they curve elegantly. My favourite single image of the three is the third one.
awty has submitted a very expressive single image - “Duel”. This is powerful, enigmatic and absolutely about movement. It probably needs the accompanying description to determine how well it fits within the theme, but it clearly does, and also stands well on its own without reference to the theme.
Bertus’ final set of images consists of two images - “Kas 1" (Flowers In Transit) and “Kas 2" (Flowers In Transit) - which depict the handling and movement of product in the flower industry. The images are interesting and within the theme, but I find myself more impressed by the flowers themselves than the movement referenced.
Last, but certainly not least, we have Svenedin and his image “Netley Abbey”. This is a very nice image, and the correlation between old ruins and the subject of transit in time is a good one, referenced as well in The Flying Camera’s British Museum image.
All very good and very interesting submissions, but I have to choose one as a “winner”.
In my mind it comes down to two possible choices. NedL’s “Transit Mall” with its wonderful mood and colour, and The Flying Camera’s “Underground Station, King's Cross” with its success at putting us “right there”.
A tough choice, but The Flying Camera’s “Underground Station, King's Cross” is my choice.
So Scott (The Flying Camera), well done, and it is up to you to choose the theme for the next MSA.