The photograph shows a bustling sidewalk scene in a city, during a sunny day, where a young boy enjoys a traditional Chinese snack, Tanghulu, while walking. The child, dressed in a vibrant blue jacket, stands out against the backdrop of adults engaged in their own activities, capturing a slice of urban life.

The image’s bright colors evoke a sense of joy and vibrancy, highlighting the playful nature of childhood in contrast to the adults, who appear with low saturation. The bright hues of the snack contrast with the more mellow tones of the surrounding environment, drawing the viewer’s attention to the child’s expression. If this photo were in black and white, the focus would shift to tones and shadows, potentially losing the lively essence conveyed by the colors.

There is a triangle composition, with the boy at the forefront with his arms slightly raised. Furthermore, the positioning of the boy, coupled with the adults in motion follows the rule of thirds. The subject, the little boy, is in the two squares on the bottom left, while the pedestrian with the white coat occupy the three squares on the right. This off center composition allows a more dynamic tension.

The biggest part of photography is candid shots, so I stood in a position waiting for a good character to come into my sight.  When I saw this kid walking towards me I decided to take a photo of him. I loved how he was so focused on eating his tanghulu, while the adults next to him are walking fast with a serious facial expression. Coincidentally, the kid was also the only person, out of all the pedestrians near him, wearing a bright color. In this image I want to capture the innocence that only a children can hold. This photo draws me back to my early years, when all I had to nothing to worry about. Which is also what I hope this photograph can evoke when viewers see it.

The photograph depicts an elderly woman sitting on a bench, her face wrinkled with the marks of time and thoughtful expression capturing the viewer’s attention. Beside her is a bicycle filled with bags, hinting at her daily life and the stories she carries.

The bright colors in the image, particularly the striking red and white of the bags, contrast sharply with the darker tones of her clothing, drawing the eye to these elements. The green and blue background also contrasts greatly from the warm colors of the old lady and her bags. If this photo were black and white, the emotional depth conveyed by the colors would likely diminish, shifting the focus to texture and shadow instead, which would also be interesting but the subject will have less contrast with the background.

The composition balances foreground and background elements. The woman occupies the foreground, her presence grabs most of the attention, while the blurred figures in the background suggest a bustling environment, enhancing the narrative of urban life. The juxtaposition between her stillness and the implied movement of the city around her creates a poignant moment of reflection. Also, the use of layers creates a sense of depth in this photo, with the bags occupying the front, the old lady in the middle and the pedestrians and tress in the back. The viewers can be guided by each layer to fully comprehend the story behind this photograph.

My favorite part of the photo is how it uses juxtaposition to tell a story. The tone of the photograph is high saturation and bright colors, however the emotion of this photograph is rather mellow and bleak. The old lady is alone, with a rather upset facial expression. She gives me a sensation of emptiness and sorrow, the presence of herself tells a story of her life. The bags I framed at the very front acts as symbolism for the emotional baggage she carries. In my interpretation she probably has witnessed so many stories to a point that she is emotionally separated with the rest of the world that is full of hope, just like the bright blue and green background. In this photograph, I hope my viewers can interpret different life stories for the old lady, giving different definitions for the bags she carry.