Top 10

editing process: cropping -> increase saturation ->increase light

Top 9

editing process: increase light -> decrease saturation

Top 8

editing process: cropping -> move to Photoshop -> I used the dodge tool to highlight the movement of light multiple times, for I wanted to emphasize the contrast between lights from Soho and the darkness of night.

 

Top 7

editing process: increase saturation -> increase light

Top 6

editing process: cropping (in Photoshop) -> using the dodge tool on the light movement to emphasise the contrast

Top 5

editing process: cropping -> using the dodge tool on the green light -> using the blurring brush on the white lights to emphasise contrast

Top 4

editing process: cropping ->move to Photoshop -> using the dodge tool on the light movement in Photoshop -> using the dodge tool on the shining part of the soho to connect the brightness of the light movement

Top 3

editing process: increase saturation -> move to Photoshop -> use the dodge tool on the light movement only

This photograph captures more than I initially intended, evoking memories of my childhood and nostalgia. Taken on a street at night, where only the streetlights illuminated the darkness, I used a long shutter speed and deliberate camera movement to capture the light and its shadow. My goal was to create a contrast, making the scene feel almost like a dream. Through the technique of long exposure, the light appears to trail across the frame, imitating the movement of fairies, which was a vision I often dreamed of in my childhood. The use of negative space, combined with the different sizes and colours of the light trails, creates a strong distinction from reality and emphasises the central themes of this set: duality and contrast. Also, the balance between light and darkness reflects the idea that opposites coexist with each other.

editing process: increase saturation -> decrease light -> move to Photoshop -> use the dodge tool on the light and its movement -> use the blurring brush on the light movement

For the top 2 photograph, I selected this image because it not only captures the overall characteristic of this set but also conveys my central message and themes to the audience. In many of the photographs from this first set, I used a long shutter speed to create the illusion of light movement, even though it is actually my movement. In this particular photograph, I aimed to blend different colours from the urban environment and residential areas, mixing two distinct spaces into a single frame. In the background, a large building dominates the skyline, while in the foreground, the apartment complex where I live anchor the composition. Although these spaces exist within the same region, their contrasting lighting visualises one of my main topics, contrast.

I used a blurring brush to enhance the movement of the lights, making the trails appear more vibrant and dynamic. The negative space created by the black background helps balance the composition because if all the window lights were fully visible, the image might have felt too bright. But capturing fewer lights at the right moment allowed me to blend different colours naturally, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

 

Top 1

editing process: increase light -> move to Photoshop -> use the dodge tool on the light and its movement -> cropping

Although there were many photographs I could have chosen as the strongest from my first set, this particular photo stands out the most. It not only connects closely to my statement of intent but also captures the most unique movement of light among all the photographs.  Taken in Soho, this photo uses a longer shutter speed and exposure than others in the set, creating a deeper motion and distinction. The flowing, wave-like trails of light reflect how I moved the camera after pressing the shutter button, making the photograph not just about light movement.  By capturing different colours and types of light, this photo represents the vibrant atmosphere of the urban environment, for the contrast between warm, soft tones and cooler, sharper lights embodies the duality present in the city.

The balanced composition, where the light falls diagonally from the upper right corner to the lower left, adds movement across space, which almost seems like a falling star. Furthermore, the negative space creates a more balanced composition and highlights the contrasting environment, as we can see that without light, there is only the darkness of night, which makes the scene more contradictory but cohesive.