With thanks to Justin Cliffe, this month’s adjudicator.

Fewer images than usual this month - just 13 to consider - but some excellent photographs to both enjoy and consider.

After some deliberation, I’ve decided that my February Image of the Month is:

By the train tracks, Kolkata by Brian Houghton

Looking at this image, I’m drawn to the mother and the two children in the doorway - only then do I see the little boy in the alleyway to the right of the building, looking straight at the photographer. This is delightful - and helps balance the image nicely

This is a great travel photograph, showing us life on the streets of Kolkata, the shoes on the steps, the buckets & bottles on the side. Interestingly the photographer has put this into monochrome - simplifying the image and focusing our attention on the people rather than, perhaps, bright colours 

As an aside, I was intrigued by the swastika symbol on the wall. Google tells me that ’in Kolkata, as across India, the swastika is an ancient, revered symbol of good fortune, prosperity, and divinity (surya) in Hinduism, commonly seen during rituals, on doorways, and in festive decorations’. 

All in all, an excellent image - and a worthy winner.

I also have three Highly Commended images which are:

Saturday Evening at CDMX, Mexico City by Dan Bronish

This is a strong, atmospheric street image with a pleasing colour contrast between the warm orange facade and the cool night tones. The near-symmetrical composition, repeating storefront elements, and the red stools all help create rhythm and structure, while the various figures add both interest and depth to the image.

The scene feels natural, capturing everyday life effectively. The lights above the signage do however draw the eye away from the main subject matter, as does the scooter, and the blue & white sign, on the left of the photograph.

A tighter crop and subtle tonal adjustments could strengthen the image. Overall, it’s a great street image with a number of different storylines and it all works well together.

The seller boy, Oman by Sanjoy Sengupta

This is a beautifully atmospheric portrait with strong use of directional light. The warm sunlight isolates the boy effectively, creating depth and mood while guiding the one’s eye to his expression - I like the way his shadow is projected onto the wall behind.

The rich tones and shadow detail enhance the overall image whilst the surrounding objects gives us a good sense of where we are. 

However, the image is quite dark overall, and some shadow areas lose some detail, particularly in the foreground. A slight lift in the shadows could improve clarity without sacrificing the mood. Overall, it’s a compelling and very engaging environmental portrait.

The Coal Carriers, Mandalay, Myanmar by Jane Tearle

This is an engaging documentary image with a strong visual narrative. The workers’ expressions, especially the central smile, add warmth and human connection, while the repetition of baskets creates a pleasing visual rhythm. The framing through the oval opening is effective, adding depth and a sense of observation, though it slightly constrains the composition. 

The inclusion of the green boat in the background provides a strong contrast against the earthy tones, enhancing the visual impact. However, the blurred foreground element crossing the frame is a little distracting and competes with the subjects. A tonal adjustment to reduce its dominance could strengthen the focus on the three individuals. Overall, it’s a lively street scene with a good narrative of life in this port / harbour.