So I’ve submitted the Assignment 1, Here are my final images and my self-evaluation.
Peter Walker – 514508
OCA Photography – Expressing Your Vision
Assignment 1 “the square mile.”
My first impression of the square mile project was one of excitement. I thought I could explore the area where I lived; however, on thinking the project through and chatting with my tutor, I realized it was important to focus on style rather than an emphasis on a good location.
With the above in mind, I reviewed the links provided by the OCA; I was rather taken by with the work of Karen Knorr, Peter Mansell and Venetia Dearden. While not particularly copying anything from their work, I did take the overall view that there is not one compelling way to do the project.
I looked at Michael Wolf for inspiration on capturing different aspects of the city. I liked the Hong Kong Break series; however though it subject too narrow for this assignment.
I used a full-frame DSLR with a 24-70 f2.8 lens. I used the aperture priority, to give me some creative control of depth of field.
The 12 photographs I have chosen, represent what I see when walking through the Jordan / Yau Mai Tai area in Kowloon –an inner city area and one of the older areas in Hong Kong.
Reading left to right on the “Assignment Final Contact sheet.”
Picture 1: I have tried to get low to be on the same plane as the subject, the reaction of hand up is what I wanted, but ideally I would be closer.
Picture 2. Typical alley scene, tells the story of why he is there; however, feel I could be more engaged the subject.
Picture 3. A standard view, looking up from the street, have tried using a dutch angle to give some depth to the image.
Picture 4. A detail shot of torn real estate posters, used shallow DoF and diagonal to draw the viewer in – maybe a bit lacking in context.
Picture 5. Detail shot I like the colours and texture; however could be lacking in context.
Picture 6. A traditional market shot to me showing cultural variety in the area, again though not close enough and maybe not visible to the viewer.
Picture 7. Painted wall sign I find these interest from an old world perspective. Diagonals are used to draw in the audience.
Picture 8. Massage stairs very familiar sight in the area, I like how the stairs bring you on to the image of the ladies back. The white area on the right is distracting, but cropping unbalanced the image.
Picture 9. Handwritten signs are found all over the area, these like picture 7 have an old-world feel but also raises questions as what they are for.
Picture 10. Typical summer scene of tradesman in Hong Kong, hip shot, lacks some purpose as you can’t see where he is looking, the passing lady raises the question with her look but overall the overlap each other too much.
Picture 11. Detail shot from an alley while in isolation lacks context; it raises a question why are two cough mixer bottles in an air vent.
Picture 12. Sleeping residents, I like how their posture reflects each other e.g. both have shoes off.
Overall, I think there is the lack of context or connection between the detail and the people shots – shows Hong Kong me; but I’m not sure I would to a non-resident.