I choose these photos because it captures unique, culturally significant elements within the Hutongs. The people, combined with the background shows a different view that is different from living in the city. The images are kind of a remake of the culturally significant elements within the hutongs. They capture the everyday rhythm of life, showing how people interact with the environment and each other. The unscripted moments of people moving through their day brings authenticity to the photos. The candid shots highlight the raw and unpolished beauty of street photography
Fred Herzog was born in 1930 in Stuttgart, Germany; he survived World War 2 before emigrating to Canada in 1952. After moving to Vancouver, he worked as a medical photographer, but his passion lay in photographing the everyday life in streets. Using photography as a personal exploration, he captures scenes that were often overlooked. It’s what makes him have a unique vision in his photos. Despite his work in color photography, color images weren’t respected until later on in time. Herzog didn’t receive recognition for his vibrant colorwork until the 2000s, with advancements in technology which allowed his photos to more effectively printed
Style of Work
Herzog’s style is known for its rich, saturated colors and attention to the details of life. He used Kodachrome film which allowed his to capture colors of neon signs, old storefronts, cars, and people. Unlike black and white photographers, Herzog took advantage of the use of color to bring realism into his images. It makes these ordinary scenes seems significant. His compositions focus on people in busy street scenes. It protrays an atmosphere of nostalgia, community, and transformation.
One Photograph Analysis
“Man With Bandage,” 1968
Subject
In the photo, Fred Herzog presents an elderly man, looking away into the distance with his arm raised. The man’s appearance suggests he may have endured a minor accident. His face aged, flightly grim and worn attire.
Foreground information
The composition is straightforward, with the man occupying the foreground. The midground and background are soft and blurred with storefronts and walls that add to the gritty atmosphere. This layered structure, with the subject in sharp focus against a softer backgroynd, situates the man in the evironment.
Aperture and Shutter Speed
Herzog’s apparoach to street photography relied on natural light and quick, captires, which required shutter speed to free the subject while alloing details. With the shapr focus on the man’s face, maybe he used a small aperture, which balances depth of field with sufficient detail in the man’s features and the background to give contect without distraction.
Vision:
For street photography in Beijing’s Hutong, my vision will focus on capturing the vibrancy of the people there, emphasizing both the timelessness and the modern adaptations of daily life there. I aim to showcase the unique character of the hutongs, the intimate street interactions, and small traditional courtyards and architectural details that reflect a blend of history and present-day culture
