The word "Sonder" is defined as "the profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passed in the street, have a life as complex as one's own...". It's not often that individual's have this moment of zen commuting to work. I would however argue that as photographers, we not only capture other people's lives on film, we also spend a brief and fleeting moment of time occupying that space between observer and participant  in our subjects lives, even if they are only minutely aware of us. Though it would be great speculation I venture to say that through this process we have on occasion helped induce that profound feeling of sonder in another.

Analog Forever Magazine is pleased to showcase 20 images, in this online exhibition curated by Julia Dean, that gives the viewer a glimpse into the lives of other individuals and cultures ranging from local neighborhoods to a foreign places where the only barrier is language. The photographs selected transport our viewers from being casual observers to an intimate participates in each subject’s lives.

Julia Dean writes: I was invited to judge this month’s exhibition because of my love of street photography.  I’ve been photographing on the streets of major cities around the world for years, but just eight years ago, started shooting in the city in which I live, Los Angeles. From there came one class that developed into a full-fledged street photography program at the Los Angeles Center of Photography. It is always a pleasure to look at great work.

Twenty images have been selected for this month’s exhibition that reflect a moment, a mood, strong content, good composition, and/or the use of great light.

I have been torn for two days over which of two photographs to select for first place.  They are both so beautiful that they make me jealous, which is my criteria when critiquing images.

The one I have selected for first place is a beautifully complex photograph, full of emotion and motion, yet at the same time captures a still moment of embrace. The grain enhances the mysterious mood.

Though there is no official “second” place, I would like to comment on the photograph that was in the running for first place. The nun in motion on the Yonkers train platform is simply a beautiful moody image, perfectly composed, and balanced between light and darkness.

-Julia Dean, Executive Director of the Los Angeles Center of Photography

The Prize - A Grab Bag of Niche 35mm Film!

Congratulations to Tomas Robertson for winning this month’s exhibition! You will be receiving a grab bag of niche 35mm film from Analogue Wonderland! This grab bag will contain some of our favorite films from up and coming film producers! Make sure to visit Analogue Wonderland’s website to stock up on all the supplies you need to submit to our future online exhibitions!

Sponsored By:

Gallery 

About the Curator

Julia Dean is a photographer, educator, writer, and executive director/founder of the Los Angeles Center of Photography. She began her career as an apprentice to pioneering photographer Berenice Abbott. Later, Julia was a photo editor for the Associated Press in New York. She has traveled to more than 45 countries while freelancing for numerous relief groups and magazines. Her extensive teaching experience includes over 35 years at various colleges, universities and educational institutions including the University of Nebraska, Los Angeles Valley College, Los Angeles Southwest College, Santa Monica College, the Santa Fe Workshops, the Maine Photographic Workshops, Oxford University and the Los Angeles Center of Photography.

For the past 17 years, Julia has concentrated on street photography around the world. For the past seven years, street shooting in downtown Los Angeles has been her primary focus. In 2015, her work was selected for a book published by Acuity Press and PDN magazine featuring 20 street shooters around the world. Julia and her work was also featured in Digital Photo Pro and Black & White Magazine UK in 2017.

Julia received a Bachelor of Science degree in photography at the Rochester Institute of Technology and a Master of Arts degree in journalism at the University of Nebraska, and is the author/photographer of the award-winning children’s book, A Year on Monhegan Island.

Connect with Julia on her Website and Instagram! You can learn about the Los Angeles Center of Photography by visiting their Website!