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Man with the Lady Shoes by Willeke Tjassens

Captured during a journey through Morocco, this portrait highlights a striking juxtaposition that immediately caught the photographer’s eye. While traveling with a group and experiencing the profound hospitality of local families, the photographer encountered a man whose choice of footwear—distinctive lady’s shoes—created a compelling visual narrative. This image is award-worthy for its ability to transform a fleeting street encounter into a poignant study of character and contrast. By focusing on this unexpected detail, the photographer invites the viewer to look beyond the surface and appreciate the unique, human stories found within the vibrant tapestry of Moroccan daily life.

Man with the Lady Shoes by Willeke Tjassens
Copyright © Willeke Tjassens
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Willeke Tjassens

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born on February 25, 1972, Willeke Tjassens is a dedicated street photographer based in Duiven, Holland. Her practice is defined by extensive travel and a patient, observant approach to urban life, often spending hours on foot to capture the authentic essence of her surroundings. Whether documenting the streets of Amsterdam or international locales like Morocco, Egypt, and New York, she prioritizes originality and meticulous curation, selecting only the most evocative images from her prolific sessions to share with the world.

Profile View Full Profile
10.7/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
48/500
SHARE
SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
8,302 views | 3 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date May 1, 2020
61.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 11.0
Clarity 11.0
Composition 17.0
Style 11.0
Skill 11.0
Photograph Location
Casablanca

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Portrait Photography
Willeke Tjassens Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (10.5/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
996/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
8,302/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
0.5/5 points
48/500 Submission
Jury Score: 61.0/80
Resonance Score: 10.5/20
Total Award Score: 71.5/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Eleanor Voss Composition & Visual Structure Expert Review
The frame’s geometry hinges on the verticality of the subject’s stance. That sharp, incongruous line of the footwear anchors the lower quadrant, creating a necessary spatial tension against the man’s weathered posture. It’s a rigid, calculated disruption of the picture plane. I’ve rarely seen such a brutal, effective use of contrast to dictate where the eye must travel. The composition doesn't just hold; it demands total submission to its own stark, architectural logic.
Deepa Krishnan Underwater Photography, Marine Environments & Subsurface Optics Expert Review
It’s a jarring shift to look at this dry, dusty street scene. Down where I live, light is a thief, stealing reds and oranges within meters. Here, the harsh Moroccan sun reveals everything, unburdened by the refractive index of water or the backscatter that ruins my own shots. I’m genuinely envious of how easily those shoes pop against the pavement. It’s a strange, human contrast that doesn't need a strobe to find its clarity.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
f/2.8 at 50mm, 1/250s, ISO 400. A standard portrait configuration, yet it’s effective here. The shallow depth of field isolates the subject’s incongruous footwear from the chaotic Casablanca street. It’s a precise technical choice that forces the viewer’s eye downward. I’ve seen enough street portraits to know when a photographer gets lucky, but this framing feels deliberate. It’s cold, calculated, and frankly, it’s the only way to make this narrative work. The execution is technically sound.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Isabelle Park

The Weight of Our Choices

I spent twenty minutes this morning trying to decide which pair of shoes to wear. It sounds silly, but I stood in my closet holding a pair of worn-out sneakers against a pair of heels I haven't touched in months.

Read the reflection →
By Gabriel Ndidi

The Mismatched Path

When I was seven, my uncle Silas wore his heavy work boots to a wedding. They were caked in dried red clay from the farm, a sharp, stubborn contrast to the polished leather of the other men.

Read the reflection →

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