Read This If You Want to Take Great Photographs

That extra something

Now for the magic

For other examples:

Bill Brandt p. 29

Lee Friedlander p. 71

Stephen J. Morgan p. 107

This image by Inzajeano Latif reminds me that photography is a form of magic. It has the ability to do so much more than simply show us what something or someone looks like. Photography – great photography – manages to penetrate the surface of the world and show us a little of what lies beneath.

OK, of course photography isn’t magic. What we’re looking at here is a skilfully constructed collection of elements. Those clenched fists wrapped in torn fabric. That beautiful light which falls somewhere between hard and soft. The warm orange against that cool blue. And that stare. That confrontational yet vulnerable stare.

But, ...