Top 12 Favourite Photographs Of The Year 2024

As this year ends, I reflect on the countless moments I've captured—each frame a story, a fleeting emotion, or a unique perspective on the world around me. After sorting through thousands of images, I've selected my top 12 favourites. These photographs represent my journey as a photographer and the connections, colours, and compositions that have left a lasting impression on me.

1. The Thinker

   The photograph "The Thinker," taken in London with a Leica M246 camera and a 50mm lens, captures a unique moment on a Tuesday. In this image, I captured a moment of deep introspection that resonates with viewers and evokes inner questions.

   
   

   

   
   

   2. The Girl From The Light

   The photograph features a girl at the museum gracefully playing in the light. It was taken with the Leica Deluxe 8 camera on a warm summer day during a memorable visit to the museum.

   
   

   

   
   

   3. Tango in Paris

   The "Tango in Paris" photograph was taken on a May afternoon while I was strolling through Paris near the Louvre. Seeing a group of dancers gracefully performing tango, I decided not to settle for a simple portrait or a straightforward approach. I adjusted my camera to create a pleasing effect and captured this couple dancing elegantly as they moved closer to me.

   
   

   

   
   

   4. The Kiss

   During the workshop in Paris, I noticed a couple and thought, "This is the moment I've been waiting for." I trusted that my patience would be rewarded. With my camera ready, I waited for the perfect moment to unfold. And indeed, the magic happened. I captured 'The Kiss,' a photograph that reminds me how patience and observation can transform a fleeting moment into a masterpiece.

   
   

   

   
   

   5. Eye Contact

   I captured a unique moment in January during the vibrant Bear Festival in Comănești, Romania. A young girl with piercing eyes looked into my camera, conveying raw, unfiltered emotion. I chose to present this image in black and white to emphasize the depth of the moment and highlight its essence of purity. This photograph remains one of my most cherished creations.

   
   

   

   
   

   6. Best Friends

   In the vibrant heart of Stockholm, I found the perfect scene to capture the special bond between a human and their best friend. With patience, I waited for the right moment when a girl and her puppy stepped into the light, creating a story full of life and emotion. From a unique angle and with subtle reflections, I managed to create a complex image that goes beyond the mere passage of a person through the frame. 'Best Friends' celebrates friendship and the authentic moments we share with our loved ones.

   
   

   

   
   

7. Underground

   One February morning in 2024, right as the workshop began, I noticed a scene that caught my attention. A man with two dogs passed by us and sat in a corner. I felt the urge to capture that moment. However, it seemed ordinary because the two dogs weren’t sitting. Then, one of the dogs sat down, and that’s when a more profound idea came to me: Now is my moment to photograph.

   I approached slowly and told the participants: Come closer, quietly, let’s capture this scene. I crouched down, thinking of adding something extra. I set a slower shutter speed to create a unique effect. Then, I made a subtle sound to draw the dog’s gaze toward me. At that moment, I pressed the shutter, capturing a story I knew would not happen again. Such moments are unique—perhaps once in a lifetime.

   
   

   

   
   

   8. The Girl With The Red Baloon

   At the end of the workshop, I noticed a girl with a red balloon accompanied by two friends. Instantly, the idea of capturing a memorable photograph came to mind. I approached her, asked for her trust, and explained how we could collaborate to create something unique. Guiding her to a slanted curb, I instructed her to walk as if climbing a hill, with the balloon seemingly pulling her back.

   The result was this beautiful photograph that forever preserves the memory of that special moment in Porto. Walking along the curb, the girl with the red balloon evokes a sense of storybook charm and adds magic to the scene.

   
   

   

   
   

   9. The Time

   The Time," the clock stands still, like an anchor in the ocean of time, while human silhouettes dissolve in an endless race. It is not time fleeing from us, but we who rush to catch up with it are lost in the routines of life.

   
   

   

   
   

   10. The Boy With The Ball

   In an ordinary scene, a boy plays football with an invisible friend, the ball bouncing between shadow and light. Awaiting the perfect shot, the magic of patience transforms the game into a story where sunlight and shadow dance on the field. This is a moment of inspiration to embrace the unpredictable and celebrate the unique instance that arrives when we least expect it.

   
   

   

   
   

   11. The Telephone

   This is a homage to Saul Leiter, a master whose work has profoundly shaped my understanding of photography.

   His ability to find beauty in fleeting moments, use colour and composition as tools for storytelling, and create layers of mystery every day is a constant source of inspiration. By photographing in his style, I aim to honour his vision and contribute to the timeless tradition of street photography, ensuring it endures for generations to come.

   
   

   

   
   

   12. The Man From Amsterdam

   In the heart of Amsterdam, I met a man whose charm and charisma radiated an untold story. After many exchanged words, I chose the right moment and place, waiting for that revealing gaze. With a smile and a spark of sincerity, I asked him to think about what he carries in his soul. When that gaze appeared, I clicked the shutter, capturing the essence of a unique moment. This portrait, which is precious to me, will be even more meaningful when I return to Amsterdam, as I plan to bring him a print to give as a gift.

   
   

   

   
   

   Each photograph is deeply cherished, a timeless reminder of the unique moments and emotions that inspired their creation. Behind every image lies a story—a fleeting instant of connection, beauty, or wonder that I was fortunate enough to capture. I am profoundly grateful for the journeys, experiences, and serendipitous encounters that allowed these moments to unfold and find their way into my lens, becoming treasured pieces of my artistic journey.