Yellow: The best 20

Green: The best 6

I want my photos to feel more immersive and personal to the viewer, so I eliminated all the shots without a figure in them.

Red: The final 3

I chose these photos because they connect to Fan Ho’s works. They all highlight a figure that is offset by light and shadow.

Photo one: Impending Doom

Death. 

Such an abstract concept.

What is it? 

Is it the end?

Or is it the beginning?

Everyone has their impending doom. This is all we know for now. We can’t see or feel it, but we know it is always out there, somewhere. It is only a matter of time. We will all eventually become rotten bones. So, should we be scared or welcome death? I hinted at this message in the photo. The shadows represent the looming death of everyone. But, of course, the world is not black and white because of duality. Just like in every negative thought, there must be a positive side; in every harrowing death, there must first be an exhilarated life. For a shadow to exist, there must first be a light source. 

Techniques used: This photo was originally colored, but I added a black-and-white filter to better highlight the contrast between light and shadow. Another thing I did was to connect the figure with the shadow to create a sense of continuation. It makes the photo flow smoothly from left to right. A gap between the two components would make the photo feel disconnected and incomplete. 

Photo two: The Price of Success

Beyond every shadow is a light source; behind every successful story, there is an immeasurable amount of failed attempts. This photo features a figure standing majestically in the spotlight like he accomplished something incredible. Below him, there is the darkly toned staircase that symbolizes the struggles that he went through to reach the top. The fierce contrast between light and shadow tells the story of an adventurer who conquered the shadows and finally reached the pinnacle, being rewarded with the warmth of sunlight. 

Techniques used: I placed the figure in the light to act as a focus point for the photo and add a sense of continuation. The photo would feel blank and incomplete without the figure in the center. In addition, the two lines repented by the sunlight lead the viewer’s attention toward the focus of the photo – the dark figure in the center. 

Photo three: Running From the Past

You can’t escape me.

I will be out there.

Somewhere. 

Forever. 

Guilt, Grief, insecurity, and loneliness are a few of the worst feelings humans can feel. They are invisible forces. They are shadows, following you everywhere you go, slowly becoming a piece of you. Walking away simply is not enough to shake off these negative energies. They drain your soul and feast on your heart. As long as there is light, they will reveal their razor-sharp teeth in the shape of you, haunting you wherever you go. The only way to defeat them is first to defeat yourself. Run away from the shadows, run toward the light. Every negative must have a positive that opposes it because of duality. Every shadow is formed from a light source. 

Run away from the shadows.

Run away…

Techniques used: I deliberately cropped the figure’s head off to encourage the viewers to use their imagination. It is a headless body. We do not know who that body belongs to. It could be anyone in these Nike shoes. It could be me, it could be you, it could be anyone’s body. It inspires the viewers to imagine their own version of a face that fits onto the body. On the contrary, if I have revealed who the body belongs to, it limits the viewer’s imagination because they already know what the face looks like. 

“A camera is just a tool; the photographer’s mind and heart are what create the image.” – Fan Ho

Fan Ho is best known for his black-and-white photos that capture light and shadow. He is often labeled as the master of light and shadow. His works include the use of intense contrast of light and shadow to enrich the storytelling that is hidden in his photos. He also captures the contrast between old and new, emphasizing the rapid growth of Hong Kong that he cannot keep up with. 

Photo analysis:

This photo features a staircase with three people going in different directions. Lines, tone, and contrast are a few significant techniques used in this image. The lines that shoot across the frame are strategically folded on top of each other to create visual interest and balance the weight on both sides. The tone is presented by the light that shines onto the three people walking on the staircase, highlighting the main subjects of the photo. The beautifully crafted contrast between light and shadow illustrates the fierce difference between the figures in and out of the light. It symbolizes the rapid modernization in Hong Kong and widening inequality. Some people thrived due to modernization,  while others were left in the dark corners of the world, wandering on the brink of death.

Yellow: The best 20

Green: The best 6

Red: The final 3

I chose these photos for my final three because they are like Eggleston’s works. They are seemingly boring, but deep down, they all spark unique sensations.

Photo one: Unsung Heroes

This photo shows a red wall with a row of electric bikes. In China, it is a popular transportation choice because of its affordable price and durability. It is commonly used among second-class workers grinding to turn their lives around and support their families. Wealthier people will choose to travel by car or on fashionable motorcycles. The red wall in front of the bikes symbolizes passion, energy, and sacrifice. The bikes represent the workers who are buried under the pressure of work. They look like they are charging into the red wall full of love and passion, almost like they are racing. No matter how tired they are, they cannot stop because their families are waiting desperately for a hot meal at home. They are brave, unsung heroes willing to sacrifice their freedom for the greater good of the people they love dearly. This is a reminder of how lucky we are to live like this. Because in the eyes of electric bikers, they can only imagine the luxurious lifestyles of us. 

Techniques used: I turned the ISO low and added a vintage filter to the photo to create a mysterious and unsettling mood. The borders of the photo are darkened to highlight the center. I also enhanced the saturation to emphasize the color red.

Photo two: Hope and Resilience

When I took this photo, it was the colors that caught my attention. It instantly reminded me of the orange rafts used for emergencies on ships. The bright orange and white symbolize hope and resilience. The message I want to convey in this photo is that no matter how agonizing the situation is, there will always be a breakthrough. Even emergency rafts that are only used in the most severe conditions contain shades of bright orange and white that symbolize hope. 

Techniques used: I took inspiration from the rules of third and negative spaces in this photo. I deliberately framed the window in the top left corner and not in the middle because the empty spaces on the left make the image feel more relaxed. The photo will feel oppressive if the window is placed in the dead middle. 

Photo three: Lost in Sands

On the surface, this is a plain photo, but I see it as an explorer traversing the desert. The desert is repented by the yellow on the left wall and offset by the cactus on the right. The explorer is going from left to right of the frame, first crossing yellow, the symbol of happiness, to white, the symbol of simplicity, and finally finishing on green, which symbolizes growth. The variation of textures also plays a role in storytelling here. Sometimes it is smooth, and other times it is rigid, signifying the explorer’s complex emotions during the journey. 

Techniques used: I shot this photo from down to up to lead the light from up to down, creating a gradual gradient from light to dark. I also turned the ISO up to highlight the sunlight.

“Often people ask what I’m photographing, which is a hard question to answer. And the best what I’ve come up with is I just say: Life today.” – William Eggleston 

William Eggleston is known for pioneering color photography. His works include everyday scenes and objects, but his unique style of photography distinguishes him from others. The dazzling splash of colors in his works elevates boring objects into exquisitely crated art and enhances simplicity into spectacular.

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Photo analysis

Eggleston is amazing at transforming boring photos into masterpieces with deep meanings. This photo portrays an old restaurant table with a few bottles of seasoning. This is a dull and meaningless photo on the surface; however, I see beyond what is displayed. His skillful use of colors and photography techniques sparked an unspeakable emotion in my heart. 

First, the table is commonly used for working or eating, activities that require time and patience, and is something to enjoy doing for a long time. It conveys the message that life is something to sit down for and enjoy. 

Second, the seasoning bottles on the table refer to the five tastes humans can feel. Sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, sweet. Like the tastes, emotions are the same. Life is like an emotional roller coaster. There is no consistent pattern. 

Third, the light source comes from the left and gradually dies down toward the right. The wall on the left is painted blue, symbolizing youth and emphasizing passion and stability. But as we move to the right, the color scheme turns darker, into a shade of brown, lightly suggesting the inevitable aging that trails behind time. Brown is the hue of dirt, often associated with feelings of security and acceptance. On the verge of death, humans are relieved, fulfilled, and accepting of their fate.  

The photo constructs the cycle of life. From a blue wall on the left that symbolizes youth and passion to a brown one on the right that correlates with feelings of security and acceptance. The impending death of everyone cannot be seen but will always be lurking in the dark. Life is like a meal. Take your time to enjoy it. Surround yourself with people who make you comfortable, who suit your taste, and let destiny do the rest.  

This masterpiece is not only set off by the exquisite use of colors but also includes formal elements. Line, shape, and focus are a few notable elements in this photo.  

Line: There are two leading lines on either side of the table, pointing toward the center of the photo, driving the viewer’s eyes to the focus point, the seasoning bottles. It creates visual interest and hooks the viewer’s attention onto the heart of the photo. 

Shape: The different shapes of seasoning bottles elevate the depth of the photo and act as a focus point. It creates a contrast between the organically shaped bottles and the geometric environment. The varied levels of the bottles also make the photo more intriguing as there are more objects for the viewer’s eyes to soak in.

Focus: This photo focuses on the seasoning bottles in the center, so the front of the table is blurred out. This highlights the focus point and leads the viewer’s eyes to the seasoning bottles as they get clearer toward the center.

The title of my project will be “Endless Combination of Colors.”

I want to create a set of photos that highlight the colors around us. Colors are fascinating components that build up the beautiful world we have today. Different colors convey different emotions. Cold colors tend to express a feeling of sadness, while warm colors are commonly known to evoke a sense of happiness and energy. The message of my photos is not for others to understand it, but rather for them to spark their creativity and create their own meaning. I want my audience to appreciate the emotions that different colors release. Different colors will trigger emotions in people with different backgrounds. I will use the contrast of colors to elevate the main subject of the photo and inspire emotions. For inspiration, I will look at the works of William Eggleston. He finds magical corners of the world with unique colors. We live so hurriedly that we forget to slow down and admire the tiny details around us.

In today’s task, we were challenged to capture photos resembling the following drawings.

1. This photo did not work out the best. I failed to find a surface with more contrasting colors. Gray and blue do not “pop” like other contrasting colors like black and white.

2. This photo worked out better than the first one. I found a square object and placed it in the top right corner of the frame. The colors are also very contrasting. It makes the white square stand out from the pink background.

3. This photo worked wonders. The cracked window perfectly reflected the grainy texture showcased in the prompt.

4. The bright yellow outshined the gray background, creating a beautiful contrast between the two colors and highlighting the three diagonal lines that scrape across the photo.

5. This photo is a little bland, but the two black and yellow striped lines do resemble the one in the prompt.

6. This is one of my favorite ones because it relates back to abstraction. It is not obvious what the object is at first sight. This is a long roll of paper, and because of its length, it creates a long and dark tunnel that slowly devours the white.

7. One thing that I love about this photo is how the dark and unsettling mood on the inside contrasts with the bright, shiny atmosphere behind the doors.

8. This photo worked out great. I was able to find a dotted pattern in the design lab. I like the hooks on both sides that made the photo more interesting. Without them, the photo feels empty and bland.

9. This photo was inspired by Andreas Gursky. I like how flexible this photo is. You can see the grid shapes between the black dots and see it again around the different groups of black dots.

10. When I saw the prompt, my immediate reaction was sunlight. With enough patience, I did find a ray of sunlight that looked like the prompt. Although the shapes are not exact, I still like how it inspired my thinking process.

11. This was probably the most challenging shape to find. I wanted to find a reflection of sunlight that was shaped like that but was unsuccessful at last. This was a desperate attempt to recreate the shape. It is a photo of someone else’s painting, which holds no creativity.

12. This photo was also much of a failure. I was unable to find an interesting surface with the specific type of texture. I would have liked the photo to have more colors, but this one works too. Just a little dull.

The grid-shaped pattern, an eye-catching contrast between white and blue, and uniquely organized balconies are all components Andreas Gursky captured that made the photo intriguing. 

If I were to name this photo, I would name it “Identity.” Andreas Gursky played with symbolism in this photo. The story goes far beyond just balconies and chairs. Some chairs face outward, and some face inward; some are neat, some are messily placed, some curtains are closed, and some are open. It symbolizes the unique personalities inside of everyone. All the windows and balconies are the same shape, size, texture, and color, but inside, every room is organized in its own way. This reflects the world we live in today,  everyone has different identities. On the outside, everyone is human, but it is the different personalities and identities that make us special. 

Gursky uses line, shape, pattern, texture, tone, and focus to create this amazing photo. The lines form a grid shape, a continuous pattern that catches the viewer’s attention. There are no other components in this photo than the grid. It helps the viewer to focus on the main subject of the photo. Shape, texture, and pattern are presented by the balconies. All of them are the same shape and texture and follow a continuous pattern, but it is how differently they are organized that makes them all unique and, therefore, interesting. Tone is shown through the fierce contrast between white and blue. It resembled the hues of the sky and clouds, lightly hinting at how high up they are, like they are touching the sky. Finally, Gursky focused the camera on another platform at a parallel height to the subject instead of an angle under or above it. It helps to create a more balanced and cleaner image.