Statement of Intent:

The title of this project is:
“Hutong Life: Layers of Time and Space”

The concept/story I want to tell with my photographs is:
This project is about the dynamic, ever-changing Hutong in Beijing. I will try to capture everything through street photography: the high energy, the details of what happens, and the tenderness of every single moment that occurs down these tiny alleys. The Hutongs are also a statement-a combination of old and new, with traditional courtyards residing next to new buildings and street vendors competing for space against passing bicycles and pedestrians. I would like to tell, with my images, a story of coexistence between past and present: history floods into everyday life. How do people get through in shaping their environment in the process of change?.

I want my audience to feel:
I want my audience to feel a sense of connection to the rhythm of life in the Hutongs: to feel that they themselves have stepped into these spaces, feeling the textures, the sounds, the movements of the street. This should elicit feelings of nostalgia, curiosity, and wonder, capturing the quiet beauty of everyday life in a place which is rapidly disappearing. I want them to appreciate the resilience of people inhabiting these spaces, and also the layering of history and culture visible in textures and patterns of buildings, the flow of traffic, and moments of personal interaction.

I will get inspiration and develop my ideas by looking for photographs that:

I will get inspiration and develop my ideas by looking for photographs that play with depth and contrast between foreground and background, where the subject interacts with their environment in a visually significant way. I will be inspired by street photography that focuses on the unnoticed details—the patterns in the street, the textures of old buildings, and the fleeting moments of interaction between people. I will also look at images that use the fishing technique to create a sense of tension and anticipation, where there is a moment waiting to unfold. Additionally, I will study works that explore the power of proximity—getting close to the subject to create intimacy, capturing not just the face but the raw, emotional connection between people and their surroundings.

I’ll also draw inspiration from photographs that utilize strong composition rules, especially when placing the subject in the middle, where it creates a sense of harmony or balance in chaotic environments. Lastly, I’ll examine work that uses visual patterns—whether in architecture, textiles, or human behavior—to tie together seemingly disparate elements into a cohesive visual narrative.