Sally Davies

 

Sally Davies’ photograph exemplifies the street photography style by capturing a unique, emotional moment that highlights everyday life through its focus on both the background and the subject—people. The image features a man wearing a mask, reflecting the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Set in New York City, the photograph includes details such as old graffiti, bicycles, and fire escapes, unified by a general theme of red. The setting evokes a mood of warmth, while the warm lighting adds visual depth and aesthetic appeal. Together, these elements serve to generate and evoke an emotional response, bringing a sense of warmth and coziness from the everyday lives of citizens to the audience.

Sally Davies’ photography is unique and stands out. It focuses on urban storytelling, treating the environment itself as a central character. Her effective use of lighting conveys a sense of calmness in urban spaces, distinguishing her from many other street photographers who emphasize human interactions.

Sally Davies seems to favor moments where people and their surroundings create a specific, warm, comfortable, and positive mood—achieved through the interplay of lighting and the subject’s connection with the background. This is evident in the following photograph.

Through the use of colors and background, particularly the juxtaposition of red and gray with the menu of delicious food on top, Davies created a general atmosphere of coziness. The color combination and the depiction of food are accessible and familiar elements to almost everyone. Furthermore, the brown tones of the food do not divert the audience’s attention. Instead, due to the strong contrast between the red wall, the ATM, and the ad cover against the brown menu, our attention is initially drawn to the red background. This intentional focus evokes a sense of coziness, guiding us naturally to notice the food. Additionally, the subject—the man—remains emphasized, as the lighting casts a bright glow on him, making him the only object highlighted in white.

(My favorite photograph from Davies’ collection) Through the use of strong color contrasts that create a subtle hierarchy, drawing more attention than the subject itself, a background that reflects lighting, and the juxtaposition of red and yellow, Davies created an overall atmosphere of coziness. The color combination naturally evokes this emotion in people. Furthermore, the light also contributes to this effect, as the reflection it casts upon the yellow and red background continues to evoke a sense of comfort.

If I were to give this photograph a title, it would be “The Afternoon.” I believe this title fits the overall theme because the word “afternoon” connotes brightness, warmth, and the yellow tones of sunlight often associated with that time of day. It also aligns directly with the photo, as sunlight is cast on the wall.

Overall, Sally Davies’ use of light and color is brilliant, as it conveys and evokes specific emotions in the audience. I will likely try this style in my own work and attempt to evoke specific emotions in my audience.