Human

Editing:
In editing, the photo always seemed either under-edited or over-edited; therefore, I initially struggled quite a bit. I kept it in color for the majority of the process. Once I saw it in black and white, however, the finished product became visible and possible. I masked both the people in the images and brought the light up on them while darkening the background slightly. The black and white image was also a bit too grey immediately after switching from color to black and white, so I increased the contrast, and brought up the overall highlights and down the overall shadows to add depth to the photo.

Analysis:
The focal point of this image, though not immediately noticeable, is the repetition in the poses of the two people. Despite appearing very different in the way they dress, they stand in almost identical positions as they wait to cross the street, both with serious expressions as they look toward the camera. One reason I chose to keep the image in black and white was how strongly this mirroring stood out in a way that was more unclear in the color version. Their light tops and dark pants create an unexpected visual unity beyond just their poses, as well as helping them stand out against a busy background. These two figures feel separate from that busyness, like a paused moment in time, clearly caught in a state of waiting. To me, they reflect how much all people share in common and serve as a visual representation of the quiet, in-between moments of everyday life.

(Scroll and click lowest image for full view (non-cropped)).