Jen Fawkes, EPSA, SPSA
January 2026 - Private cheer squad
About the Image(s)
I took this image on my last trip to London, a few years ago, and have always just kept it in my 'potentials' folder. These 2 your women were spectators cheering on a huge parade in central London. I love the fact that women are now so comfortable with their bodies to dress like this in public (yes I led a sheltered life), are happy to be photographed and add to the fun and gaiety of the event.
Taken on Olympus EM1, Oly 12-100 lens at 40mm
F 8, SS 1/125th sec, ISO 320.
I think what is interesting for me is that I am still looking out for these moments where intersting people are doing interesting things.
8 comments posted
Hi Jen. Another photo of alternative people, seems that's the theme of the month. The elbow to the left of photo anoying but when you can't clone out you still may have cropped out. Subjects compliment each other one very revealing but still subdued the other lady less revealing but over the top gesture. Lady on right may have been better with full phone but only minor. Posted: 01/08/2026 20:42:49
thanks Ron, its actually quite an old image and these days I might take it just a bit differently. I hear you about the cut off phone, but there is probably nothing I can do about the elbow! My reason for putting this one in (and yes I've held onto this one for a while) is to overcome my discomfort about how much young women expose these day, and how vulnerable they are when they are drunk - as these two were!. Even though people seem to think that PJ is 'easier' than other genres that allow post processing, I think it's even harder to capture the 'perfect image' in situ in these conditions. Posted: 01/12/2026 23:12:04
Hi Jen,
Very nice HI photo. The woman on the right, drinking from her bottle, almost looks like she was saluting you. Were they aware of you and your camera? Any idea of what is making the streak marks on the subjects' skin, e.g., on their legs?
I'm trying to "think like an HI photographer." On one hand, I wish the subject's phone and hand were not cut off at the top of the image. But on the other hand, the story of the image seems to be unaffected by whether we see all of that or only what's shown in the image. Posted: 01/09/2026 10:11:47
Very nice HI photo. The woman on the right, drinking from her bottle, almost looks like she was saluting you. Were they aware of you and your camera? Any idea of what is making the streak marks on the subjects' skin, e.g., on their legs?
I'm trying to "think like an HI photographer." On one hand, I wish the subject's phone and hand were not cut off at the top of the image. But on the other hand, the story of the image seems to be unaffected by whether we see all of that or only what's shown in the image. Posted: 01/09/2026 10:11:47
Thanks for your comments Richard, and yes I agree with everything you have said. This is quite an old image so I would probably take more time and think more about how I would take this image.
I love your comment 'trying to think like a HI photograper (aka a photojournalist)'. Its hard to let go of perfection in search of a wonderful story. Perhaps think of this as a different way to see the world. Images like this rarely do well in Open competition, unless you post process all the problems out - something I'm not interested in doing. Posted: 01/12/2026 23:14:41
I love your comment 'trying to think like a HI photograper (aka a photojournalist)'. Its hard to let go of perfection in search of a wonderful story. Perhaps think of this as a different way to see the world. Images like this rarely do well in Open competition, unless you post process all the problems out - something I'm not interested in doing. Posted: 01/12/2026 23:14:41
OH, and the streak marks on their legs is probably some of the rubbish that they throw around at each other - mud and paint a the like. Posted: 01/13/2026 18:37:28
You do find the great subjects. These two are undeniably enthusiastic parade watchers. Good color, focus, and HI shot.
What outfits! We both found subjects pushing the boundaries of decorum this month. Posted: 01/10/2026 10:12:37
What outfits! We both found subjects pushing the boundaries of decorum this month. Posted: 01/10/2026 10:12:37
Hi Leslie, I certainly agree, there are some fabulous subjects this month and that's what makes HI so interesting. I sometimes feel so boring and "normal".
The concept of 'decorum' is something I find really intersting, not that I am bothered by how much skin the young women show, but about how naive they are about their safety when the do show it. Posted: 01/12/2026 23:16:52
The concept of 'decorum' is something I find really intersting, not that I am bothered by how much skin the young women show, but about how naive they are about their safety when the do show it. Posted: 01/12/2026 23:16:52
I like this image a lot even thought you say it is old and having been in your potential folder. I believe this is a great interest story that shows the pair happy and celebrating something. They appear to be comfortable their dress (or lack of it), their cosmetic body painting and seem to be enjoying the moment. Posted: 01/13/2026 09:25:48