Contact Sheet:

“YELLOW” contact sheet:

In my photography, I want to explore how human emotions connect with HuTong life. Inspired by Bruce Gilden’s close-up style, I aim to capture unique moments that reveal surprising contrasts in everyday life. Each photo will tell a story about daily life in HuTong and how people relate to their surroundings. I chose these images because they are all under the category of my vision and are all considered black and white street photography that demonstrates the people of HuTong and their day.

“GREEN” contact sheet:

The approach I was going with this set of pictures was making them black and white, and in focused on the people of HuTong. As well as the lighting in each images, I intended to imitate Bruce Gilden’s close-up style of the use of Focus and Light use. Each images I took could be represent an glimpse of the HuTong life. I aim to explore and capture the special moments that show the surprising contrasts in everyday life by focusing on the people of HuTong and the details of what they’re doing, without interruptions, and in addition with the black and white tone of the images, it makes everything stand out. For example if you look at image 11 and 12,  these causal yet special scenes are what is going on within HuTong. And with the filter of my vision and technics, these day-to-day activities like chatting or playing cards stands out as a moment that might seems ordinary and insignificant, but will now live on in the form of an artistic black and white photo.

“RED” contact sheet:

Following my vision of exploring stories about the daily life in HuTong and how people relates to their surroundings, I mainly focused on texture (black and white), depth of field, and focus to capture glimpses of what the people of HuTong experiences. By closing in on the details of these people, the thing that our eyes originally disregard as a common sight, like seeing a old person sitting on an chair (like in picture 2 or 3), suddenly stands out. Take Photo 1 as an example (my personal favorite): I was walking alone the river, looking for interesting sites, when I notices an old man sitting on an small wooden chair, alone, selling pins for a very cheep price. I thought it was an very interesting scene, for the old man has probably been sitting here for ages, only selling pins with no one in his company. So I adjusted my camera’s setting and quickly snap a picture of the close-up of the old man. He was fine with it after I told him I took a picture. As you can see, the texture of the old man’s face stands out because of black and white. Especially when we look closely into the old man’s eyes, we could see the a bit of tears on the bottom side of the eye and the reflectived view the lake, making the image, in some extent, reflective. Illustrating the deep emotions of one of the elder resident of HuTong.

Analysis of the Artist: Bruce Gilden

My vision is to explore the dynamic relationship between human emotions and urban environments. Inspired by Bruce Gilden’s close-up style, I aim to capture unique moments that showcase the surprising contrasts found in everyday life. Each photograph will tell a story about daily life in HuTong, emphasizing how people connect with their surroundings.

Characteristics of Bruce Gilden’s Photographic Style

Bruce Gilden is known for his bold and striking approach to street photography. Some key characteristics of his style include:

Close-Up Shots: Gilden often takes photos very close to his subjects, making them appear larger than life. This technique captures intense emotions and details that might be missed from a distance.

Emotional Engagement: Gilden’s portraits often reveal deep emotions, showcasing the stories behind his subjects’ faces. He aims to capture the real lives of people, often focusing on those who are marginalized or overlooked

Unconventional Compositions: His photographs sometimes cut off parts of subjects or are taken from unusual angles, which creates a sense of urgency and energy in his work

Evaluating One of Bruce Gilden’s work:

I chose this photo because it showcases his unique style of capturing raw emotions in urban settings. What is surprising about this image is how the man’s intense gaze and expression stand out against the blurred background of the bustling city, creating a striking contrast that draws the viewer in. The important formal element in this photograph is light, as Gilden uses flash to illuminate the man’s face, emphasizing his features and emotions while adding depth to the image. This use of light not only highlights the subject but also enhances the overall mood, making it a powerful representation of street life and human connection.

My definition of Street photography:

Street photography is a type of photography that captures everyday life in public places, focusing on people and their interactions. It often shows candid moments, meaning the subjects are not posed or aware they are being photographed. This style of photography tells stories about real life and helps us appreciate the beauty of ordinary moments.

Mind Map: 

Mood Board:

Statement of Intent:

The concept I want to go for with my pictures is the dynamic between human emotion and the urban environment. Using similar Bruce Gilden’s close-up style, I aim to capture moments that reveal the surreal juxtapositions found in everyday life and highlight a new perspective. Each photograph will serve as a narrative of a moment in the daily life of HuTong, highlighting the connections between subjects and their surroundings, evoking a sense of wonder and curiosity. I want my audience to feel a connection to the images,  prompting them to reflect on their own experiences within urban spaces.

By capturing raw, unfiltered (colourless) moments of HuTong life, I hope to evoke emotions and reveal a whole new side/perspective of HuTong. I will get inspiration and develop my ideas by looking for scenes that explore the daily life in HuTong and, in some extent, juxtaposition, especially scenes that contrast different elements within a single frame. This includes depth of field, shadows, and unexpected compositions to create visual tension. Additionally, I will analyze techniques used by photographers who capture decisive moments, emphasizing timing and context to convey powerful stories within a single image. By examining these styles, I aim to refine my approach and push the boundaries of traditional street photography.