The PHOTO OP series — to which SEMIOVOX has invited our semiotician colleagues from around the world to contribute — analyzes photos that we’ve snapped while “off the job.”

September 2018 — São Paulo, Brazil. Voices from the Margins: Urban Poetry for the Pinheiros River, a collection of positive expressions layered over the Pinheiros River, one of the most polluted rivers in the Atlantic Forest / Mata Atlântica.

August 2022 — São Paulo, Brazil. Amid the relentless grip of traffic, this image offers a vibrant shot of energy for the soul. Perfectly positioned beside a gas station, it feels like an emotional fuel, replenishing the spirit against the wear of everyday life.

January 2025 – Santiago, Chile. Lucha 2025, a compelling visual manifesto urging us to summon the strength needed to withstand the political turbulence of the year ahead.

PHOTO OP: Mariane Cara (Brazil) on LA LUCHA CONTINUA | Aiyana Gunjan (India) on YAMRAJ | Greg Rowland (England) on I ❤️ FOOD | Gabriela Pedranti (Spain) on NOT SO TRIVIAL | Biba Allarakia (Saudi Arabia) on ALL THAT GLITTERS | Brian Khumalo (South Africa) on A LOST MEMORY | Becks Collins (England) on A MILLENNIAL ON THE BRINK | Samuel Grange (France) on SLOW DOWN | Rachel Lawes (England) on DESKTOP COLLECTIONS | Marie Lena Tupot (USA) on BOX OFFICE | Sónia Marques (Portugal) on SWISS-NESS | Serdar Paktin (Turkey / England) on BOTTLE SERVICE | Stefania Gogna (Italy) on OPEN-AIR MUSEUM | Charles Leech (Canada) on IS IT IRONIC? | Kishore Budha (England) on DOWN THE TUBE | Josh Glenn (USA) on JOINED AT THE DIP | Mark Lemon (England) on SHOP LOCAL | Paulina Goch-Kenawy (Poland) on TBD | Malcolm Evans (Wales) on CHOCOCRACK | Ximena Tobi (Argentina) on TBD | Adelina Vaca (Mexico) on TBD | Natasha Delliston (England) on TBD | Ramona Lyons (USA) on TBD | Victoria Gerstman (England) on TBD | William Liu (China) on TBD.

Also see these international semio series: COVID CODES | SEMIO OBJECTS | MAKING SENSE | COLOR CODEX | DECODER | CASE FILE