Perseverance is one of the most important qualities a person can have in life. Imagine being in high school, facing tough classes, challenging exams, and the pressure to fit in. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and want to give up, but that’s where perseverance comes in. When you push through difficult times, you develop resilience and strength. Think about athletes who train hard every day, or students who study late into the night for their dreams. They don’t let setbacks define them; instead, they learn from failures and keep moving forward. Perseverance teaches us that success isn’t just about talent; it’s about hard work and determination. When you face obstacles, whether it’s in academics, sports, or personal relationships, sticking to your goals can lead to incredible growth. It shows you that challenges are just stepping stones on your path to success. Every time you get back up after a fall, you grow stronger and more capable. So, the next time life gets tough, remember that perseverance is key. Embrace the struggle, keep pushing, and you’ll find that you can achieve things you never thought possible. In the end, it’s not just about reaching your goals, but also about the journey and the person you become along the way.

Below is a collection of photographs taken during a practice for athletes competing in the 2025 戈壁 competition:

This is a personal journal that documents films I’ve watched and reviews of them.

(1) The Last Emperor

The movie, directed by an Italian and cast in English, is a supposedly realistic documentation of China’s emperor. The story uses flashbacks to portray the tragic life and fate of Puyi and those around him. A highlight of the film is where Puyi’s wife walks into his room (inside the Forbidden Palace) at midnight, wishing to sleep with I. I’m scared, waking Puyi up as he pulls out a gun, thinking it was an assassin. This scene was somewhat comical and therefore got stuck in my head, seeing the contrast between the traditional setting and the modern props. Personally, I neither liked nor enjoyed this movie. The informative style and blend of plots nearly made it seem like a documentary. Though I agree that the film is successful, the absence of climax (dramatic and extreme ones) and suspense made it boring for me. The lengthy duration of three plus hours made it extremely difficult to bear.

(2) Pay it Forward

Pay it Forward is a romantic drama about how a kid changed the world. The story ends with Trevor, a hopeful kid, receiving a class assignment on how students could make the world better. Little Trevor, being naive and trusting, took the assignment very literally. He created his project called “Pay it forward,” where he would help strangers with the expectation that those strangers who receive help will help someone else, and thus repeat the helping until the world is perfect. Trevor’s execution of his plan, as expected (as an audience member), did not start well. Throughout the movie, he experiences hardships but eventually sees success, wrapping up a wholesome ending. Personally, I enjoyed this movie. Although there weren’t any high-intense action scenes or magnificent effects, the calming style and storyline earned my endorsement. I also liked the contrast between Trevor’s naive thoughts – thinking that everything will go well – and the disappointing reality of how things initially turned out. The movie, of course, first portrays a somewhat realistic response of those who were helped, but soon moves somewhat into a fantasy-like mentality of how everyone helped is inspired so quick and deeply. Overall, 2 hours of collective wholesomeness truly elevated my stressful weekend.

(3) La La Land

This film tells the story of a man and a woman trying to pursue their dreams. The man is a musician who is obsessed with jazz. His dream is to start his own club and revive the dying genre. He is stubborn and confident, symbolizing a human’s most sincere will. The woman is a coffee shop worker who loves acting and drama. Her dream is to be a famous actress. She is emotional and sensitive. Though she started off confident, her constant failures broke her down until she picked herself up again. Surprisingly, I liked this movie. Even though I’m not a fan of musicals, the visuals and creativity of the movie deeply attracted me. The story overall is excellent. At first, the focus is a little unclear; it almost felt like things were everywhere. However, things were much clearer and somewhat unexpected as it went towards the end. The movie gave me laughter occasionally and decorated my laborious weekend.

(4) John Wick Chapter 4

The movie tells how John Wick fights his way to his long-wanted freedom. The storyline is okay, it made sense, and was a parable. However, the real action is the actual highlights of the movie. The movements were tactical and realistic; the different camera angles made it very cinematic. The heavy gunshots made the fighting more intense and satisfying. They even matched his shots to the magazines, meaning he was shooting just as much as he should before reloading. The only part I would complain about is how he walked away from a 4 story fall. Overall, the movie is definitely my favorite action-wise. I could also watch this from an entertainment perspective and not judge every one of its shots, cuts, and editing.

(5) Green Book

The movie tells how a middle-aged, impoverished Italian man, who works as a bar bouncer and likes to use violence to solve all his problems, became good friends with a black pianist, who is highly educated but lonely, during the 19s in the US. The story uses their friendship to illustrate – on a surface level – the minority combat racism together, but at the same time – on a deeper level – projects friendship and how one changes for the other throughout time, and facing challenges. Having watched this movie numerous times, I can take away something new every time. The movie is truly a classic and has never gotten old.

(6) John Wick Chapter 1

The movie tells the story of a retired killer, John Wick, fighting for his lost dog and stolen car, which were the only things his beloved wife left behind. Being the first series movie, it is a classical action film, a very successful start to a legendary story. The movie implements a lot of realistic gun mechanics and achieves an effect of realism, making the audience feel like they are watching a live-action film and not some absurd story. The assassin’s world and lore also establish a mysterious but complete and intriguing plot for the audience to uncover. The movie’s fast pace indicated the start of my busy week.

(7) Se7en

A genuine master piece in the history of film. The movie tells how a young detective investigates a series of religious crimes, but participates in them. The film, on the surface, exposes the dark sides of humanity and showcases its capability to create realistic gore effects. However, on a deeper level, the film criticizes humanity’s nature, represented by the seven deadly sins. The film’s ending is also phenomenal, showing the twist and fragility of human nature. Overall, it was an intense and” brain-burning” film, but fascinating to watch and analyze.

(8) The Greatest Showman

The Greatest Showman is a film that projects the struggle between fate, identity, and ambition. The movie introduces the main character’s tragic past and seemingly locked fate. The story then expands to the main character’s struggle with his family, career, and economy. Although I usually do not like musicals, this one was particularly special to me as I had listened to the music from the film since grade 5. Knowing that the film had the songs “This is Me” and “Rewrite the Stars” and its iconic theme” The Most Excellent Sho” pushed me to watch it despite my disapproval. The insertion of the music in the film felt a bit too forced, almost like it popped out of nowhere. Regardless, the high-quality music and stunning choreography compensate for the film’s imperfections. Overall, it was terrific, but I wish to watch it again someday, as my headphones broke on the plane when I watched it.

(9) Free Guy

The film tells how an NPC in a game comes to life and is cautious before saving his collapsing game world. The movie has a plot similar to Ready Player One. Despite its complex storyline and being a reflection of copyright abuse in the real world, with Ryan Reynolds cast as the main character named “Guy”, the movie’s vibe leans more towards comedy, making it fun to watch. My favorite part about the film is how it creatively plugs in famous real-world streamers into the story, using them as jump-holds to introduce the plot twists and actions going on, and it is very fitting too, as the story is about an in-game NPC coming to life and helping humans in the real world. The showcase of streams such as Pokimane, Jacksepticeye, Ninja, and many others made the movie resonate and a surprise.

(10) F1: The Movie

The movie illustrates how Sonny Hays, a middle-aged racer, redeemed himself in the F1 while overcoming relationship issues with his team. The movie uses a compilation of POV shots to vividly bring the intensity of car racing to the audience. The fast cutting pace also aligns with the movie’s overall pacing. Different from recent movies – movies that purposely pick actors who, though may be unfitting for their role, are from minority races and therefore achieve political correctness – this movie picks actors who perfectly fit their role. F1 The Movie is one of the greatest movies I’ve ever seen.

(11) Argo

Directed by Ben Affleck, Argo illustrates the story of the Iran hostage crisis in 1979. The film is based on actual events, showcasing the thrilling rescue of six Americans who found refuge in the Canadian ambassador’s home after the US Embassy was overrun. Tony Mendez, a CIA agent, devises a bold plan to extract the diplomats by pretending to produce a fake sci-fi film, “Argo.” The film’s tension builds as Mendez navigates both the dangerous political landscape in Iran and the complexities of Hollywood. Argo not only entertains but also sheds light on a chapter of history, raising questions about the lengths people will go to for freedom. Overall, it’s a film that successfully balances tension and historical significance, making it a must-watch.

(12) 2001: A Space Odyssey

The film is a science fiction film that explores humanity’s evolution and our relationship with technology. It is known for its stunning visuals and special effects. The film follows a journey through space, starting with early hominids and the mysterious monolith’s influence on human development. Its Slow pacing and minimal dialogue may challenge some viewers, but the film’s existentialism and artificial intelligence themes provoke deep thought. Overall, it’s a masterpiece that remains influential, inviting audiences to ponder the future of humanity.

(13) The Amateur

The film, directed by James Hawes, illustrates how a CIA code writer takes down a criminal organization while battling corruption. The movie explores the dangers of rebelling against authority and showcases the struggle between speaking up and staying silent when facing corruption. Unlike stereotypical action hero movies, this film highlights the significance and power of intelligence by having the main character outwit the antagonists intensely and appealingly. Admittedly, this is the most innovative and creative film released this year by far.

(14) The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a 1920 horror film directed by Robert Wiene. Being one of the most iconic pieces during the German Expressionism era, this film has inspired multiple modern-day horror movies. The film illustrates how Dr. Caligari, a madman, instructs his somnambulist, Cesare, to commit a series of killings. In this still shot from early on in the film, Dr. Caligari waits for the town clerk to attend to him. As such, Wiene uses mise-en-scène and cinematography to establish the atmosphere of suppression and hierarchy in this scene.

 At first sight, the dominant subject, the town clerk, positioned in the tall chair above all other characters, is introduced to the audience, expressing power and supremacy. In such a still shot, the viewers should focus on the man first because he is centered high in the foreground. Then, the subsidiary subject is sighted in the bottom left corner of the frame. Despite Dr. Caligari being one of the main characters in the film, the fringe and low (compared to the dominant subject) positioning makes him the minor subject in this shot. The height contrast exhibits Dr. Caligari’s submission while highlighting the town clerk’s importance and expressing suppression. Furthermore, Wiene’s master shot gives the audience a clear view of the character’s level and depth difference, enhancing the oppressive atmosphere. 

Notably, Wiene showcases character importance through the deliberate use of a tall chair prop (both here and throughout the rest of the film) that places the character in power, such as the town clerk, literally higher than other characters in terms of depth and composition in the frame. Similarly, compared to other characters, the town clerk is positioned closest to the center of the shot, calling for the audience’s attention and portraying a sense of significance. Moreover, the town clerk and Dr. Caligari are proximal to each other, hinting at their differentiation in social status, which demonstrates hierarchy. On top of that, the director also chooses black costumes for all the characters in the scene to embrace the genre of the movie – horror – while forecasting the darkness Dr. Caliligari is about to unleash upon the town clerk. Additionally, Wiene employs general lighting to decorate the expression of the power structure. At the same time, the set is generally bright, and a visible peek of light leaks in through the background. The light ignites the background behind the town clerk, forming a light panel. Strikingly, the gleam does not reach Dr. Caligari. Having the town clerk supported by light while Dr. Caligari decays in the darkness further presents a contrast that represents hierarchy; those in power are coated with illumination, and those below must rot with madness. 

To summarize, Wiene’s creative adaptation of mise-en-scène and cinematography techniques inflicts a suppressive atmosphere upon the audience, presenting a hierarchical structure while foreshadowing the film’s later events. This scene not only iconifies one of the earliest horror masterpieces in film history but also shows how the importance of characters can shift dramatically with the employment of film techniques. 

“ひかり” means light in Japanese. I choose to name this collection Light because the entire set revolves around painting abstract scenery with distorted light. The technique I used to achieve such visual effects is the application of low iso. I accidentally discovered this method when I mistakenly set the iso on my camera to 100 while taking photos for an event. I noticed that the shutter speed was extended significantly due to the low light intake, and looked very distorted as I moved the camera while the lens was shut. I then went on to experiment with this technique, attempting to “paint” images by manipulating the lines created by the light within the camera frame. Eventually, I ended up with the following set.

<Experimental>

<Top 9>

Final Collection:

Favoriate Set: <Inverse>

• These two photos together make up the set “inverse”. In these images, the frame is split into two parts, the background and the camera display screen. The subject only appears.

<Introduction>

This second part of the final project revolves around my personal trip to Japan during the Christmas Holidays. The set focuses on the theme of the Journey, represented by the 4 sections of the total Journey and the title “Over-Exposed.” In the entirety of over 90 photos, there are 4 sub-themes, “Past,” “Character,” “Hakuba,” and “Tokyo.” Each sub-them represents a section of the trip with 4 best photos of each and a final set of 4 images, which consists of 1 photo from each section.

<Over-Exposed>

Initially, all photos were planned to be taken “normally.” However, it soon came to my attention that, for some technical reason, my camera’s aperture was locked at an extremely high level, which made it nearly impossible to take pictures usually, even with the ISO at its lowest. Therefore, because I could not fix the issue, I decided to comply and thus created this “over-exposed” journey series, which focuses on images taken in high-exposed forms to express a dreamy and delusional emotion.

<Past>

• This sub-theme shows my past, which was when I studied in Japan. The set contains pictures of my old school nearing the end of my trip, yet I decided to show it as the 1st “stop” in my Journey as a revision of history.

<Character>

• This sub-theme shows the people that were involved in this trip. The set focuses on capturing moments I spent with those people, whether they were remarkable or just generally good times together.

<Hakuba>

• This sub-theme revolved around the first half of my trip spent in Hakuba, Japan, skiing. However, due to the iso issues, the snowy weather limited the pictures that I could take, leaving only behind the ones where I captured nearby streets.

<Tokyo>

• This sub-theme revolves around moments I spent in Tokyo for the second part of my trip, where I experienced nostalgic moments from the 5 years I used to live here as well as magnificent sceneries.

<Presentation Sets>

• If this project is to be hung on the walls, I want these 2 to be the ones that are presented as they best represent my techniques and unique photography sights.

<Memory>

• The entire image looks nostalgic and old because of the lighting I used; this is called memory. I used symmetry in this image by splitting the frame sideways using the bridge, creating a transparent and stable pattern. The subject, the flying bird, is placed at the center of the frame to express the distances I have traveled throughout the years and the distances I will soon have to travel for the rest of my life.

<Field>

• The photo looks nearly like a painting because of the saturation and composition, the seemling field looking background is also why the photo has been named field. I used the rule of thirds to place the subject in the left center of the frame, creating a transparent yet not overwhelming presentation of the focus in this image. The blurred yet saturated background provides good coverage for the subject and leaves no negative space, making the entire photo look complete. I propose having the sunshine from the side of the field to create a bit of golden sky at the very top, which enhances the overall imagery of the entire photograph.

<Final Set of 4>

• These photos were not selected for the final set because of their outstanding technique but because of the exceptional story, they tell.

“Locked”

• The image is named “locked” because of the feeling it communicates. The subject is these iron fences, with my old school’s building heavily blurred in the background. Such composition creates a depth of field that explicitly shows the fences while the background is slightly visible but barely identifiable, similar to a distant memory. Thewalle being in front of the camera while the blurred buildings lie far in the back creates a feeling of the memory (my old school) being locked away (by the fences) and between them represented the years I’ve spent in between, experiencing new things while forgetting what happened years ago. I also added a sprinkle of warm colors by including the yellow leaves to contrast the cold and exposed tone.

“Parallel”

• This image is named “parallel” because of the subjects in the picture. In the photo, my dad is seen standing on the left, looking into the distance, while his friend, led by his friend’s daughter, runs up the staircase towards my dad. The composition of the subjects makes it look like the friend is looking at my dad, seeing how he (the friend) will be once his (the friend’s) daughter grows up. At the same time, my dad, looking into the distance, seems as if he’s recalling the times when I, as a kid, would be holding his hands and running off like a little kid, yet with those times gone, he would only be able to see what the future would be like. The connection between these two subjects brings time backward nearly 20 years to when my dad first met him and a contrast between the past and the present. The overexposed sun in the background makes the entire frame look dreamy and nearly delusional. Moreover, I also purposely centered the bar of the staircase in the middle of the frame to provoke a separation between both the subject’s situation and thoughts. Out of all the moments I have captured, those who accompanied me through this trip, this scene is what I believe to be the most remarkable and, hence, chosen.

“White Out”

• This image is named “white out” because it is over-exposed yet identifiable. Related to the term black-out, the photo is named white-out because of the snowy background and extreme exposure. I used over-expose to provoke the emptiness the snow in the background brings, which looks nearly like a void of nothing. I also blurred the trees in the background to have them line up on the sides of the path the gondola is going up, looking like it is flying through this pathway midair. The general intention of this image is to describe the experience in Hakuba, which was skiing, and hence, the emotions snow brought are enlarged.

“Memory”

• This image is named “memory” because of the nostalgic feeling it provokes. The over-exposed lighting and dusk sky created this yellow cover on the lens, which made everything look golden. The combination of color and the lack of cold colors made the entire frame look warm yet old because of the high exposure. I also used the rule of thirds to make a clear view of the river in the middle to the right side of the image, while the left side had a mix of trees and bridges. In the direct center is a rainbow formed on the waters, which is rare and beautiful, looking like a reflection of the sun, though it is not. The perfectly straight lines of the shore and the bridge create symmetry and pattern within the image. The picture’s overflow of elements, memories, and beauty perfectly describes my life in Tokyo.

<Presentation of 4>

• These photos are selected purely for my liking of what demonstrates my photography techniques.

<Complete Set of 91 Photos>

<Best 3>

[Company]

• This is named “company” based on the theme of the image. Two figurines, one white and the other pink are seen sitting on the edges of a butterfly lamp, looking at each other. This composition communicates the theme of love through positioning and lighting. I purposely positioned the figures at the edges of the butterfly, making them seemingly distant yet close as if they were “looking” at each other. This contrasts literal and imaginary distance, enhancing the connection between the subjects and their relationship. I used the butterfly light left by our previous apartment owner to my advantage, as the light created a shadow effect on the subjects, making them dark yet visible as their outlines were shaped. The light also reveals the butterfly, creating a romantic environment that magnifies the theme of love. An edit t was made by cutting the frame from 6×19 to 1×1 to remove unwanted negative space that ruins the concentration of the image. To improve, I should shine slightly more light on the subjects to make them more apparent for presentational purposes.

[Hangout}

• This is named “hangout” based on the motif of the image. The three figurines are seen sitting on “chairs” made of grapes in a triangular formation and seemingly talking (suggested by the hand gestures). Such a composition of subjects creates a joyful and relaxing environment, which dictates the calming and casual tone of the photograph. I also compared the grapes and subjects to show how tiny they are scaled to real-life objects they were supposed to represent. This, in a way, makes the scene feel “silly,” which contributes to the calming and relaxing theme. I used the rule of thirds and focusing techniques to create a focus in the image, which helps my audience break down the “motif” I have sent within the work. By joining into a side angle and placing the black figurine on the left side alone while also focusing on it, this subject stands out more to the audience, creating a point of focus and achieving my intended effect. I did not make any edits to this photo, especially not the lighting, because I am satisfied with the composition and brightness, which inflicts a dramatic visual. To improve, I should try more props to suggest each figurine’s actions more to make the scene more interesting.

[Construction]

• This is named “construction” because of the scene shown. There are 4 figurines seen in total, two of which carry the muzzle parts of the toy gun in the back, one is dragging a magazine, and the last is just sitting and watching. The composition makes the scene look like a construction site, as each worker is putting pieces together while supervised by someone. I used the diversity of color as a contrast between the figurines, so I purposely left black and white on the left side of the image while red and blue stayed on the center-right side. I had this separation of colors to make the color contrast look more organized and less “random”. I put the main focus on the blue figure at the front because it can create a shallow depth of field with the other figurines in the back, enhancing the visuals of this scene. As a result, this image communicates a busy theme as the figurines “work” together to build a toy gun. I edited this photo by raising the overall brightness to better show the colors and actions of the subjects. To improve, I should find a different angle not so distant and have the red figurewhollyy shown in the frame to lay out my subjects better.

<Final Experiments>

• This final experiment was “good” overall. I was able to overcome the issue of focusing by using auto focus and manual focus at the same time, switching between the two when needed and finding the best angles. I also made many attempts with different scales, zooms, and positions which gave me a wide pool of choices for my final selections. In the future, I should try out scenes with more elements or setups included for more interesting takes.

<Experiments>

• This set of experiments targets close-up technique, camera tilts, and lighting. Throughout the experiment, I tried different angles with different levels of zooms alongside different ISOs and lighting tones. Overall, I was able to adjust an ISO of 800 for my final sets to use under standard artificial lighting and a still angle to present my subjects in. One major mistake I will need to overcome in my final set which was exposed by this experiment is focusing. I need to make sure I perfectly combine auto focus and manual focus together to have the focus on my subjects completely and no the background.

<Change in Plans>

• To fully express my intentions for journey-themed photographs, I must collaborate with my model in a place with snow. As of the current situation, I cannot achieve any of those until I go on my skiing trip during the winter break. Therefore, after negotiating with Mr. Stewart, I have decided that I will temporarily complete figure photography to meet the proper deadline, and the Journey photographs will be done afterward. All of the Preparation will still apply to journey-themed photographs.

<Breif Preparation>

• My reference images are alined in an increase in height fashion. These are images that I have found that inspired me to undertake figure photography.
• The first image is a wide-framed photo of a stormtrooper figure on the beach. This photo used the rule of thirds to position the storm trooper in a position where it looks like the figure is actually walking. At the same time, negative space and depth of field are inflicted together to form a distant and empty feeling, conveying a lonely emotion.
• The second image is a wide-framed photo of a person napping on a rock amidst green “vegetation.” A contrast of color is used between white and green to make the subject stand out. The camera also focuses on the subject only and blurs out the rest of the background to explicitly present the napping figure, which creates a sense of harmony with the nature surrounding it. The rule of thirds is also used, which creates a negative space that shows its loneliness and communicates an undisturbed and calm emotion.
• The third image is a landscape-framed photo of Darth Vader alongside a stormtrooper.Usingf figures as subjects creates a contrast in color between black and white. At the same time, a contrast in context is also presented as a scene that would be unimaginable within the original story of which both figures are frm, is brought into reality. The swing also brings and communicates an emotion of joy.

<Theme> Journey

• I first was enlightened by my winter break plans. Before jumping into the picking of starting points, I had already summoned an idea of shooting snow themed photographs at my ski trip during the winter break. Wiggling through the list of starting points, I finally landed my choice on journey because it was the best fit for demonstrating the beauty of nature as well as documenting my trip.
• “I intend to demonstrate the commence of a journey through portraying the beauty of nature and landscapes coated with dusk and dawn lights to bring a fateful feeling to my audience.”

<Artist 1> Daido Moryiama (Main Artist)

• Daido, born 1938 Oct 10th, is a Japanese photographer who began his career as a freelance photographer. 3 years after his career in 1967, Daido won his award being the “New Artist Award from the Japan Photo Critics Association”. Daido’s journey as a photographer spiraled uphills afterwards, joining over 70 exhibitions, hosting over 30 publications, and winning 8 monumental awards. Daido is currently 86 years old as of 2024.
• Daido’s style evolves around black & white toned photography that focuses on urban and human related entities as subjects. Daido likes to frame his subjects to a side of the frame, somewhat like using the rule of thirds. He also almost always tilt the camera to a certain degree which brings a feeling of randomness and “sketchy” which is enhanced by the framing technique and color tone he uses throughout his shoots. His style inspires me because of the freedom and truthfulness (creating what he truly wants) he imposes within his photographs. I aim to express and communicate similar emotions and messages in my works under the theme of journey.

<1>

• This is a black & white photo of a lady riding a bike in the streets of Japan. The theme of journey is showcased through the vehicle and road that companies the subject. An interesting technique that Daido uses here is depth of field. He frames the picture and subject through camera height and surrounding objects to make the lady taller than other people in the frame to dictate the lady as the main focus and calls attention to her. This technique act extremely effective in this photo in particular because the black & white tone alongside with the sunlight actually makes it really hard to spot and focus on subjects, making the use of this technique crucial in identifying the subject.

<2>

• This is a black & white photo of a teenager posing (most likely dancing) on an empty street in Japan. The theme of journey is showcased through the dancing subjects and a depth of field contrast of him to the perspective buildings in the back. Depth of field is used here creating a comparison between the subject and the building/structure at the very back. This achieves an illusion that the subject has moved from the back all the way to the front, creating a motion within the image. Another technique that Daido uses in this photo is a tilted camera frame/angle. This creates a distorted image and adds to the depth of field, also syncing the image to the subject’s pose.

<Artist 2> Richard Long

<1>

• This is a presentational photo taken of an art piece Richard Long created. The image used a high to low angle and symmetry. The high to low angle allows the audience to have a general view over the piece, allowing them to fully appreciate the work. The symmetry though existing within the art work itself, has been also moved into the image to present an organized look. The art piece itself uses symmetry and texture to convey the meaning of journey. The symmetrical cross represents the crossing of paths during life and the multiple directions one could face. This is also enhanced by the cobblestone texture and structure representing the hardships one will face in those paths given and that all choice will have challenges.

<2>

• This is a photo of a thin path made by white stones extending far into the distance in a plain. The theme of journey is conveyed both through the artwork and the photo. The artwork is the path of stones. Quite literally, it creates a path, but at the same time it also stands for the infinite possibilities one could have down their own path by stretching far into the distance, out of sight. At the same time, the contrast of colors enhances this illustration and further defines the journey element within this work. The photo helped strengthen the meaning by creating depth of field and a perspective. These techniques help enhance the distance created in this image which improves the presentation of journey.

<Mind Map>

• This mind map presents the 8 aspects that I plan to merge into my final piece.

<Mood Board>

Precise Vision:

• This is a version of the mood board consisting of 9 images that reference precisely and accurately what I intend to create for my final piece/project under the theme of Journey.

Broad Version:

• This is a version of the mood board consisting of multiple images scattered across the internet. These images are a broad and general reference on what I have imagined in my mind.

<Citation>

https://www.moriyamadaido.com/en/

http://www.richardlong.org/

https://www.lissongallery.com/artists/richard-long

Final Works

• In this set of final work, I hope to create, to the best of my ability, satisfying visual presentations of objects that relates to the theme of discarded under the coating of captivating elements to which enhances my works.

Best 3:

<Wasted>

• The name “wasted” is based of the presentation. The bottle is seen laid down with sand coming out of it, which represents gunpowder and the dusted bullet shells represents that they were just used, which is how this connects to the theme of discarded. I wish to communicate the feeling of dusty and scrappy to the audience. I aim to do this by adjusting the focus onto the bullet shells which I purposely bathed in sand to add a layer of visible dust onto. By using the closeup skill, I allow my audience to focus their attention on the details of the bullets which helps the audience pick up my intention better. Overall, I believe that I successfully explored the theme and message as I planted various details in the photo to represent the theme of discarded alongside enhancing the details with techniques to project my message. If I had another try or chance, I would want to add real fire in the background or perhaps find a better terrain to improve my work.

<Idle>

• The name “idle” is based off its arrangement. The bullet is seen standing directly in the center of the frame. I purposely went against the rule of thirds here using a reverse technique and center the bullet to dictate it as my subject. This allows the audience to confirm their center of attention which helps transfer my intent. The two glass bottle mouths on the sides are “decorations” that helps create a symmetry within this image. This symmetry helps direct the attention onto the subject and convey the theme of discarded. I also used focusing on the sand where the bullet is placed on to show its details which helps enhance the general visual presentation. If I had another try or chance, I would want to rotate the angle of the camera to show more background that has elements bettering the symmetry.

<Lapse>

• The name “lapse” is based off the term time lapse which is a form of filming where an extended length of b-roll footage is fastened into a short duration for the sake of presentation or convenience. The subject is the clock shaped by sand and built by bullet shells as its hands. This connects to the theme of discarded in three ways. First, it is built by sand, which (sand) has the characterizes of easily lost and unable to be held together, representing the passing of time. Second, the bullet shells which symbolizes builds the hands, which means the waste (bullet shells) points to what time it is, representing the wasting of time. Third, the clock built by lose and wasted items that can not be held together overall represents the lost of time. These three points together shapes the theme of discarded and lost, which is enhances by the use of negative space and composition. The entire background is left as basically negative, with no additional elements representing waste. The subject being framed on the bottom half of the frame allow the audience to focus on what is “in front” of them and not “behind” (in the future). Overall, though I admit the showcase of the theme and message here is abstract, the entire piece is artistic indeed which makes up for the slight distortion and abstraction that the audience may feel. If I had another try or chance, I would want to have additional bullet shells to build the numbers around the clock and better the image.

Special Set of 3×4

• This is a set of photographs that bases off the previous project that I did. What is special about this set is that it mergers the characteristics and techniques from the reflection photographs, combining 4 images together to form a new one. Though this set leans into more of an experimental type that illustrates shapes, the whole intention makes the use of this technique meaningful. In these images, I intent to form shapes that is built by discarded items to capture the whole theme, in which case is bullet shells. To improve this set, I should go acquire different angels of the same setting which should create more complicated shapes as the current ones are basic. Though compared to the other works these seem more sketchy, it is worth noting that these did indeed take multiple tries to complete which is why I believe they deserve to go alongside the other final works.

Additional Creation of 1×3

• This is a new attempt that builds off the previous one. In this attempt, I used one image repeatly 3 times vertically instead of 4 times in a square fashion. This image attempts to communicate the message of continuity throughout whats wasted. I achieve this by using a high to low angel above the subject to illustrate the distance. The long wiggly line of discarded items (bullet shells) pulls this to the theme of discarded while creating a line. To improve on this, I can follow the same steps as the previous one which is to add more complex structures and combine them together to form more complex results. For this one specifically, I think I should add additional elements in the negative spaces to enhance the visuals.

Final Set of 36

New Statement of Intent: Through the lenses of nature and humanity, I wish to communicate the beauty of bullet shells under the theme of discarded items.

• This is chosen as my new statement of intent because the advices and feedbacks I have received shaped my decision to focus on the projection of my discarded subjects instead of the theme behind it (though also important).

<Practice 1>

Best 3

• This is an image taken in the studios with the subject being a group of bullets being placed vertically in the center and shot with a blurry frame on purpose. I used depth of field in this image combined with framing as I purposely centered the subjects to create a sense of focus in contrast with the blurry frame alongside placing them backs to create a difference in distance. I also purposely used warm lighting to enhance the copper texture which has a original color of bronze/yellow. These techniques allow the subjects to glow in the dark and create a warm imagery simulating night lights. To improve, I should consider how the background could be changed more to strengthen the contrast and imagery of the subjects and light bulb.

• This is an image taken in the studios of the subjects being dropped onto the ground and bouncing up simulating the ejection process of bullet shells. I used a high to low angle in order to project the difference of size between the bullet shells and the floor. I also had my camera focus at a point on the ground (also a queue) before the bullets were dropped to capture this half focused framing on the bullet shells. This make the bullets look very shaky which enhances the image of them falling and bouncing. These techniques allowed the creation of a “lively” imagery full of “action”. To improve, I should consider putting more elements on the ground which could help with bettering the imagery of “lively” and “action”.

• This is an image taken in the studios of the subjects falling onto the ground behind a gun barrel. I used depth of field explicitly in this image and located the two subjects – the barrel and the bullets – in a fashion that it looks like the barrel is shooting out bullet shells against a way where instead it is just bullets dropping behind a barrel onto the ground. This combination of techniques achieves the effects of abstraction as bullet shells are usually the discarded ones resulted from firing yet the roles has shifted in this image. I should improve by expanding the image to add more elements that can help present this idea.

Set of 45

• This set of photos focuses on the imagery of war under the theme of discarded. The set is taken inside the studio mainly because the requirement for lighting and background (black) to represent the theme of war and discarded. There was also prop safety and convenience considerations. Overall the set turned out to be relatively successful as the first experiment and it also surfaced some issues such as camera focuses/iso and possible errors such as timing and quantity (amounts/size of bullet shells needed). A major point of improvement summarized is to add additional elements, best if nature related, to decorate the background and create contrast by doing so. A side point that needs attention is adjusting the focus properly before taking photos.

<Practice 2>

Best 3

• This is an image taken outside the studios of two bullets sinked in sand. I used closeup on the subjects to capture the details of the sand around it which enhances the visual aspects of the photo. In addition, the composition of the subjects were intentionally set directly in the center to expand the emptiness around it which is how the theme of discarded is projected. By having the bullets shells thrown in the middle of nowhere, it brings the feeling of vacant and wasted, exactly what the audience needs to feel. The color of the bullet shells blends perfectly with the background because being similar in tone, though just a bit darker makes the bullets stand out while also merged with its surroundings. To improve, I should attempt to add some additional foreground/background to coat the loneliness.

• This is an image taken outside of the studios of one bullet shell pouring sand into the other. This scenery leans more into the visual presentation and interpretation than the actual intent. Through simulating one shell as the whine bottle and the other as the glass, I intend to express beauty through what is considered waste by people. This slightly abstract idea is inspired by a random video I watched of someone pouring whine in a stylish fashion. Aside from framing and composition, there is not much technique used on this image to specifically enhance the idea, however they do help coat the overall presentation such as using natural lighting and focusing on the subject. To improve, I should take this inside the studio instead because it lies more to civil instead nature.

• This is an image taken outside of the studios of bullets falling out of someone’s hands alongside with sand. Originally, the bullets is suppose to fallout as well however after many attempts I came to the realization that it is almost impossible to capture that moment since the chances are completely random and moved on. The central focus for this is to represent the lost of time and how time can not be held. Discarded relates to this topic as it is the literal lost of time. I used the closeup technique to capture the dropping sand as its details can illustrate the lost presented in the image. To improve, I should find methods to time the bullet drop perfectly and capture the original intended scenery.

Set of 35

• This set of photos focuses on the addition of natural elements. Following this, the location of this set has been chosen take place in the ES playground instead of the studio. Aside from feedback that suggests this decision, another major influences is the sand. For many reasons, sand or its larger form deserts always has some sort of relationship with the idea of wasted/discarded. I decided to use this connection because it can significantly increase the work’s relevancy to the topic therefore meaning that I can experiment more freely on ideas that I have planned earlier. A major point of attention overall to improve this set is to be aware of the background/foreground making sure that they are “necessary” and related to the subjects since the location is no longer a studio meaning that there is less control in those aspects.