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Exercise 5.2
Having a consistent theme has been something that I have very much taken away from this course and its assignments. And on that note, I have tried to keep a loose theme of Hong Kong across my assignments so far and thought it more than appropriate for this exercise to respond to the world of the legendary Bresson on the east Ho Fan.
Response to:
Afternoon Chat (1959) Ho Fan
In this work by Ho Fan, I am drawn to 2 things the long shadows and the subtle lighting – his work show real context and sense of place. Just by looking at the image, you are transported into the bygone era of Hong Kong and China.
Looking back at the Terry Barrets essay, photographs & context, the main elements that provide the context for the picture are the information within the image and the information around the picture making. That is, I know that it was shot in Hong Kong in the 50’s or 60’s as art or reportage (documenting life), and the it is the ethereal quality of the light that quality of the light that transports the viewer to the bygone age I mentioned above. I view this as straightforward art.
In response to the Ho Fan original image I wanted to replicate the long shadows and shot around the walkways around the HK cultural centre which can give interesting shadow formation due to the diagonal nature.
However, with the resulting image, I look at it much different. Whilst my intention was to only produce a piece of art, no intention for reportage, how the man in the shot is reacting the meaning could be viewed very differently depending on how it is presented and the mindset of the viewer.
On reviewing the image, I can see a statement on intrusions into personal and private space due to the prevalence of cameras on the street and f placed in a newspaper in an article about criminal gangs this man could be assumed to be a kingpin. And very limited notice would be taken of the high contrast shadows I was trying to achieve.