One at a Time – a series of posts where I examine a single image. Today it’s Lady in Red.

It’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but here I don’t think we need that many, for the single abiding theme is drama.

Why is the woman in red so pensive? Surely it’s not the thought of crossing the road. And while we will never know, I think this image connects on some level, because we care.

The off-centre composition means the focal point is her face, and we are drawn to it – something accentuated by her hands.

Diagonals abound, the picture exudes energy, and the bright red outfit screams look at me. Yet we are always drawn back to the face, and that expression.

The image lasted a millisecond, but I got the shot. That’s the thing with street photography: one millisecond nothing – and then, like the glint of a sniper’s scope, it’s there. Then it’s gone forever.

It’s up to you to take the shot. On the X-Pro 1, using my favourite 14mm lens (21mm equivalent in 35mm).