Bangkok in Motion – Loren Byers' Award-Winning Nature & Experimental Photography
In the dynamic flow of Bangkok’s streets, fleeting moments of color and motion often go unnoticed. For photographer Loren Byers, one such instant became the inspiration for Outside the Box—an evocative long-exposure and motion photograph that earned the award-winning recognition in the Nature & Experimental Photography category at the Best Photography Awards UK 2025 Autumn Season. Commuting through the city, Byers captures everyday street life with a unique perspective, blending spontaneity with careful observation. The interplay of vibrant figures against a darkened backdrop, combined with a mysterious reflective form, creates a visual narrative that invites viewers to pause, reflect, and see the magic hidden in ordinary moments.
Q: Could you share the background and setting of this award-winning photo?
Loren: ''Commuting through Bangkok’s traffic is often fastest riding with one of the ubiquitous motorbike taxis. Zig-zagging through and around cars, buses, trucks can prove to be an exciting ride (especially while trying to balance and take photos). It can also offer a visual panorama of street scenes, people, and everyday life along the way. This photo is from one of those rides.''
Q: Is there a particular detail in this photo that you especially love?
Loren: ''For me, two details make this photograph: the first is what initially caught my eye in the moment: the colors of the two figures against the dark background. The second detail appeared in the final image: the boxlike form that seemed to magically appear above the figures, caused—I think—by an errant reflection.''
Q: Did you have any specific inspiration or artistic concept in mind during the creation?
Loren: ''The variety of wonderful, interesting, dynamic subjects that can be seen along the streets of Bangkok—especially as a passenger on a motorbike—inspired this photo. I wanted to capture some of the sense of motion, so I used a shutter speed that was slow enough to create a sense of motion while still capturing some detail.''
Q: What do you hope viewers will feel or reflect upon when they see this photo?
Loren: ''I hope that viewers share my sense the magic that the image of this moment portrays—regardless of setting and process. I hope, too, that viewers will share the play of metaphor the photo expresses—thinking outside the box.''
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website: www.thebeautifuleye.net
