Zhonggang

"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious" - Albert Einstein

Final project

Andreas Gursky
I am inspired by Andreas Gursky’s skilled mix of computer change with large-scale photography, which results in visually striking pieces that challenge our understanding of reality. His photographs often show broad views and minute details, transporting the audience to a world where the ordinary rises to the extraordinary. Gursky’s investigation of globalization and spending, as well as his excellent use of color and structure, strikes an emotive chord with me and inspires a fresh understanding of the complexity and beauty of our environment.

Andreas Gursky. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved May 30, 2025, from https://www.andreasgursky.com/en

Garry Winogrand

I am inspired by Garry Winogrand’s outstanding ability to capture the unpredictability of daily life. Ordinary situations become outstanding because to his honest photos, which capture the energy and richness of urban life. Winogrand’s distinct viewpoint inspires me to take a closer look at the world and discover beauty even in the midst of everyday encounters. Every sight has a narrative waiting to be revealed through the lens, as his work reminds me.

 

Kaninsky, Martin. (2023). Garry Winogrand: The Spontaneous Chronicler of American Life. About Photography. Retrieved May 30, 2025, from [https://aboutphotography.blog/photographer/garry-winogrand]

Vision
I want to start a photography project that combines Garry Winogrand’s unfinished, unplanned moments with Andreas Gursky’s broad, complex works. My intention is to demonstrate how regular life may contain the remarkable. I think that by combining these two approaches, I may produce pictures that inspire viewers to stop and appreciate the beauty in their surroundings. Every image will convey a story, showcasing the colorful, frequently missed details that give our cities their depth and life. I want the audience to identify with these scenarios and be motivated to discover their own tales in everyday life.

 

 

 

The Set

Contact Sheet

Lightroom (IMG_9002.JPG and 201 others)

 

Yellow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The images shown as “yellow photos,” because they were an individual interpretation of Henri Cartier-Bresson’s street photography style. While some of them successfully reflect his concepts of capturing the moment, others wasn’t good in this area, making them less visually appealing. Although there are a variety of unposed photos from daily life in this collection, some of them doesn’t have the best composition or strong emotional impact. By emphasizing the harmony between technology and the natural beauty of life in visual storytelling, this contrast invites viewers to consider what makes up a really artistic photograph.

 

 

Green

These are my “green photos,” because they meet the basic requirements for a successful shot. They show traits like composition, freedom, and the decisive moment, all of which are in line with Henri Cartier-Bresson’s approach. Many of these photos also have unique features that make them stand out and improve the way they look. I put some of them in the green category instead of the red one, though, because they don’t have a deeper narrative or evaluative worth. They are highly creative and skilled in technology, yet they lack emotional and logical impact. I can value these pictures while realizing that they fall short of my red photographs in terms of depth because of this difference.

Red

I chose these images as my “red photos” because they are perfectly suited with the photography vision of Henri Cartier-Bresson. As every picture has a deep narrative and evaluative value, it captures the essence of daily life. They also demonstrate a variety of photographic skills, including timing, composition, and light use, that enhance their effect. In addition to capturing essential moments, this combination enables viewers to interact with the images’ hidden narratives, which enhances their artistic and emotional impact. I want to draw attention to the potential of photography as a storytelling and social tool through this selection.

Evaluating

I chose this as a red photo because it clearly conveys the key elements of Henri Cartier-Bresson’s vision with its lively composition and current context. The image shows a moment of movement and pressure, capturing people in the midst of their daily activities and reflecting the spontaneity that Cartier-Bresson valued. Leading lines draw the viewer’s eye into the image, producing a sense of depth and direction. Furthermore, it emphasizes deeper themes about the rush of modern life and the passing away of time, encouraging reflection on the bonds between people in a fast-paced society. This mix of technical ability and emotional connection creates a striking illustration of what photography can accomplish.

I chose this picture as a “red photo” because it clearly depicts a moment of innocence and curiosity, which is in line with Henri Cartier-Bresson’s vision. The composition shows a little kid wandering away from the viewer, giving a sense of wonder as he approaches the pigeons. This method highlights the child’s curiosity about his surroundings, capturing the freedom and emotional depth that Cartier-Bresson enjoyed in street photography. The contrast between light and shadow adds visual mystery, while the child’s lone figure among the birds represents ideas of childhood freedom and exploration.

 


I selected this red image because it shows a young adult and a toy car in contrasting colors, evoking optimistic memory and the meeting point of childhood and adulthood. The picture asks viewers to consider the innocence and happiness of play in childhood in contrast to the responsibilities and challenges of adulthood. Additionally, Steve’s decision to take a picture while seated in the toy car represents the need to save fragile moments as well as the contemporary desire to record events, regardless of how  insignificant they may appear. The blending of the past and present is highlighted by this layering of meanings, which shows that play is an essential part of life for everyone, regardless of age. All things considered, this image wonderfully embodies Cartier-Bresson’s vision and offers a deeper reflection on identity and the human condition.

 

 

 

Artist inspiration

Why is he inspiring?

I am inspired by Henri Cartier-Bresson because he shows the value of preserving unique moments that convey a narrative. I adore how he emphasizes genuine, unguarded moments, inspiring me to see the beauty in ordinary existence. I learn how to take better pictures from his ability to frame them. Above all, his admiration for people and their lives inspires me to use my photography to convey important narratives.

Magnum Photos. (n.d.). Henri Cartier-Bresson. Retrieved , from https://www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/henri-cartier-bresson/
Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved, from https://www.henricartierbresson.org/en/

Six Concept

Decisive moment

The kids movement is highlighted in the composition, highlighting both their expression and the surroundings. The setting and other characters give the story more dimension and provide a glimpse of life in action. This little moment captures a narrative and arouses feelings and interest in what is placing.

 

 

 

tension

I created an immense feeling of tension for the viewer in this picture. I could actually feel the excitement in the air, as the moment stop in the shoting position. The goalie’s composed posture increases the drama of the moment, while the runner’s intense sprint adds to the intensity. I’m eager to see what will happen next because of the thrilling atmosphere created by the players’ interaction with the approaching ball. It captures the excitement of competition and the suspense of the result, capturing a pivotal moment.

 

 

Capture Gestures

I tried to capture the player’s motion as they got ready to kick the ball when I took this picture. In order to highlight their movement and give the picture vitality, I positioned myself at a low angle. I could feel the excitement rising as I watched them wind up because I knew that this was the moment that would capture the spirit of the game. I carefully positioned the image to highlight the player’s foot and direct the viewer’s attention to the action. The gesture took center stage and emphasized the moment’s intensity because the background was chosen to be unobtrusive. It was thrilling to capture the spirit of the sport in a single, impactful picture, freezing this moment of activity.

 

 

Avoid Distractions


the image connects to the idea of “Avoid Distractions”. Although the background is visible, it is blurred and less detailed, which effectively reduces its importance and keeps the viewer’s focus on Ryan. The viewer’s eye is led straight to Ryan because his face and upper body are the areas with the sharpest focus. By connecting with the photographic rule of avoiding distractions, this intentional blurring of the background and strong focus on the subject help to remove any possible distractions and create an original focal point.

 

balance

Ryan is positioned close to the middle of the frame, serving as the main focus point, giving the picture a sense of balance. by having his ground in the setting by the soccer ball at his feet, which stabilizes the lower part of the picture and keeps it from feeling top-heavy. This balance is further supported by the relatively equal distribution of visual components and space on either side of the vertical axis.

 

composition

The idea of centering Ryan, the subject, within the frame serves as a strong compositional cue for the picture and is closely related to  Composition – rule of thirds/centre. By positioning Ryan nearly exactly in the center of the picture, which creates balance and stability rather than following the rule of thirds. This intentional decision further improves the visual balance by highlighting Ryan as the main subject and repeating the image’s overall balance.

Inspiration photographer/map

Henri Cartier-Bresson

what is his style

he mainly uses the idea of the “decisive moment,”  defines his style. He focuses on design and natural light to capture free, fleeting moments of life. His black-and-white images emphasize realism in commonplace situations while frequently revealing profound human feelings and stories. Cartier-Bresson’s work is a fundamental influence in street photography because of his ability to frame subjects in their natural settings.

 

Brain storm

what are some ideas that interest viewers?

-Urban portraits

-Reflection

-Shadow play

-blurriness

-Movement and motion

-Contrast

-Theme(Night)

what is street photography?

I believe the goal of street photography is to capture the spirit of daily life in all different places. It involves looking around and discovering beauty in everyday events, such as people laughing, strolling, or just going about their daily lives. Every picture reveals a different tale, highlighting relationships and feelings that are frequently overlooked. It’s not just about the subjects; it’s also about the street ambiance and the way light and shadow interact. A shared view of the world as it develops is made possible by the way each picture feels like a moment in time.

 

Inspiration

I think hallway is a creative location for street photography. It sums up both the beauty of our school community and everyday life. The cleaners’ skill in cleaning the floors prepares the ground for the vivid scenes that follow normal people’s lives. As the last bell rings, students come from classes in huge numbers; the different kinds of people and the energy are evident as the hallway comes alive. Genuine moments occur throughout this period, such as friends laughing, conversations starting, and distinctive styles being displayed.

Final portraits


This picture is called “The Silent Justice”, which this picture fits my intent, because my intention is the people who is in the “lower classes”, I believe this picture fits my vision, because as I intentionally did, I made the picture black and white, which shows an aged feeling, furthermore, I made my other friend who has a skinnier hand in front of the camera, to look like he is holding a screwdriver, which makes a contrast between the main characters facial expression, as I used my other friend’s hand is because this had a deeper contrast between the sense of age and labor due to lower classes people as his hand looks more white and skinnier, another detail was I used a transparent umbrella also emphasize the sense of age because of the blurriness, also in before the life condition comparing to present were obvious worse.

I noticed that experimenting with reflections and transparent things greatly improves my photographs. I can more effectively express feelings like strength or fragility when I take pictures from various angles. By adding layers, the use of material that is transparent causes viewers to consider what they see more closely. When I looked at my previous work, which was really simple, I saw that I wanted to be more imaginative. I’ve been able to use my photography to share people’s complex experiences and create better tales by combining these new concepts with previous techniques.

Contact Sheet


Reflection

I think I did a great job on presenting the challenges of those from lower  classes in “The Silent Justice.” I created a feeling of timeless memory by employing black and white photography, and the main character’s expression stands out with the skinnier hand holding a driver in the foreground, symbolizing fragility and the mental strain of work. By symbolizing foggy realities and encouraging viewers to consider how things have been getting worse over time, the clear umbrella adds complexity. By experimenting with transparency and reflections, I’ve been able to express more profound feelings and turn straightforward pictures into moving stories that emphasize the experiences and resilience of those who are frequently overlooked in society.

Task 5

This project is called “Silent Sadness.” I wish to look into the topic of social justice, paying particular attention to the lives of migrants and those from less wealthy backgrounds also called as lower classes. I was inspired by an Asia and the world course that made me more aware of the hardships that people in poverty experience. I want my audience to understand the grief and difficulties that come with living in challenging circumstances, as the course made me aware of the injustice and struggles that many people face. I want to raise awareness of social justice issues and develop compassion for individuals who are frequently overlooked by sharing these experiences. In addition to drawing attention to their suffering, “Silent Sadness” aims to start discussions on the need for reform and assistance for the weaker members of our society.

Task 4

 

Photography main idea

“the Great Depression”

Task 3

A photographer who really matches my vision is Dorothea Lange; she inspires me by showing her ability of photography to tell major stories about actual people going through difficult times. Her well-known picture of the “Migrant Mother” is a reminder to see above what we think and appreciate the challenges and strength of others. She taught us that every image has the power to change the world by using her camera to raise awareness of social concerns and inspire kindness. Lange’s work inspires us to use our individual gifts to raise the attention of people in need and to become more aware of the issues facing our communities.

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