For some StreetRepeat themes I get surprised with the amount of variations I find or receive from others. I usually feature extra images in the stories on Instagram but as they disappear after 24 hours, I’ll post them here as well. Enjoy!
Category: StreetRepeat Highlights
In this section I discuss the featured themes of StreetRepeat to provide some insight into the collecting and editing process.
Hungry Seagull: What makes photographers approach this bird in a similar way?
These images of the hungry seagull are strikingly similar. What makes photographers approach a subject in a comparable way? Did they know the other images and what do they think when seeing all three next to each other on StreetRepeat?
Brighton Beach Alignment: What makes photographers approach this place in a similar way?
These images of Brighton Beach are strikingly similar, each with the pole and the sea aligned. What makes photographers approach a subject in a comparable way? Did they know the other images and what do they think when seeing all three next to each other on Streetrepeat? Read what the three photographers have to say about it.
Skateboard Legs: How do photographers respond to criticism?
These images of people on a moving walkway aligned with a pair of skateboarding legs – all taken at Brussels airport – have been featured widely on curated Instagram accounts. But they have also met with some criticism in the comments; people called it ‘boring’, ‘unoriginal’ and even a ‘marketing trick’. How did these images come into being? Were the photographers aware of other similar photos, and how do they respond to the criticism?
The Holy Lorry: What’s the story behind the religious decoration?
This truck with the image of Holy Maria has been driving on Italy’s highways and attracting several street photographers into photographing it against the blue sky. Some of the photographers were aware of the images by others, but still decided to create a version of their own. Photos like these are what led me to start the StreetRepeat project, as they kept appearing in my feed, causing the déjà vu feeling and some confusion. Now I’m happy to share the stories of all three featured photographers and the story behind the religious symbols on lorries in Italy.
Featured Theme #5: The Essaouira Cat Mural
This is quite a fascinating theme to me. Not only did many photographers capture the same cat painting in the Moroccan village of Essaouira, they all captured it together with a seagull. It shows how much we are trained to create the same visual connections with different eyes, at different times. I’ve asked the photographers to share the story behind their image.
The Biggest Repeat on StreetRepeat in 2018
January 2018 was the starting point for StreetRepeat and I’m happy to look back at the amount of featured themes, categories and subcategories. 2018 was also a year of new friendships and connections, online and offline. It has been enlightening to discuss the issue of repetition and originality with so many of you. Now it’s time to take a step back and scrutinise our own repetitions: the most repeated theme on StreetRepeat in 2018.
Featured theme #4 – Lost Head
This theme shows just how similar things can be seen by different eyes. The photographers are apparently unaware of each other’s images, yet the scene, choice of black and white, the angle and composition are are nearly identical.
Featured theme #3 – Smoking Thoughts
The ‘Smoke out of the head theme’ is quite common in street photography. Things protruding from people’s heads, such as trees, poles, and plumes of smoke, have always been considered things to avoid. But street photographers sometimes break this rule for the sake of humor. I asked the three photographers below what they thought about having their photo featured in this collection.
Featured theme #2 – Red Balloon Instead of the Head
This highlight is about the collecting process of StreetRepeat, to show the making of categories and subcategories.
