David Jackson is a UK native who ended up living in China thanks to one very unexpected chain of events. Though his interest in photography dates back to his earlier years, it wasn’t until he found himself living in a very foreign environment that he began to feel the need to document all the goings on around him more consistently. Since then, street photography has become a big part of his life.

During our conversation with David, we take a look at three of his early images. He has since upgraded his gear, but each of the images we reviewed were taken with the trusty little point and shoot (a Canon IXUS to be precise) he started out with. David has an excellent eye for interesting subjects and situations and we thoroughly enjoyed evaluating his work.

Click on the audio player below to hear a little more of David’s story and what Bob and I had to say about David’s images.

Photo 1

Ashley’s Comments

This shot is composed so nicely! Unicycle man is framed just right. The lines of his unicycle draw the eye upwards very naturally and the symmetry on either side of him draws attention to the image’s many layers, which begin in the dark area you are shooting from and then fold out to reveal the texture of the ground, the boy, the crowd, the buildings, the rooftops and finally the sky. The many layers are what really make this interesting to me. Even more so than the characters, though I do like them too. The height difference, and especially the boy’s stance (which looks almost challenging) tell a story of one of those brief connections you have with someone you don’t expect to connect with.

I find this image very interesting, it definitely draws my attention enough for me to take a second look. What could improve this image? I would say clarity. I think if you could make out the boy’s face and/or the faces in the crowd the story would shift from the boy to the performer. From the faces of others you could form an idea of the performer, which I think would make this image tell an even stronger story – one of a single individual as told by a crowd. In that case, I think it would be less about the artful layers and more about the human story. Generally, those stories make for the most powerful images.

Bob’s Comments

I like the way the entertainer and boy are isolated in a triangle of light under the overhang in the foreground of the frame. It helps draw attention to them. However, the boy’s face is in shadow, so I think would help to burn it in a bit in post.

Also, I find my eyes begin to be drawn away from the subjects by the much lighter crowd in the background. I think darkening the crowd a little would help keep the viewer’s attention on the subjects.

Photo 2

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