1. Old Guy Reading by the Lake

• This pic uses the pavilion columns to “frame” the guy reading, which makes you look right at him. The lotus leaves and lake behind him make the moment feel calm, like he’s totally into his book even though he’s in a public park.

2. Beijing Snack Street

• The red lanterns and food signs are super colorful and make you feel like you’re actually there. It shows how fun and busy Beijing’s food markets are, and the person eating alone at the end makes you wonder about their story.

3. Black-and-White Card Game Pic

• This black-and-white shot freezes a moment where a guy is playing cards and smoking. It feels nostalgic, like these kinds of hangouts have been happening in Beijing’s hutongs forever.

4. Playing Cards Outside

• You feel like you’re right there with them! The close-up makes the scene feel personal, and it’s cool to see how people in Beijing hang out and have fun.

5. Shared Bikes on the Street

• These bikes are everywhere in Beijing, so this pic shows how people get around now. The blurry car in the back makes it feel like the city is always moving.

6. Two People Sitting by the Willows

• The trees and the old buildings around them make the scene feel balanced and peaceful. It’s sweet to see two people just chilling together in the city.

7. Boat on the Lake

• The way the boat is in the middle of the lake, with trees and railings around, makes you want to go for a ride too. It shows how Beijing has nice spots to relax outdoors.

8. Street Vendor at a Heritage Stall

• The black-and-white makes this feel important. The vendor is keeping Beijing’s food traditions alive, like the “intangible cultural heritage” plaque says. It’s cool to see old traditions still going strong.

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Final

Reflection

After editing these photos, I was amazed by how the black-and-white tones and textures brought out the details and emotions. Even though my work doesn’t copy the exact style and composition of my reference artist, it shows my own take on this place and its people, letting me capture the daily lives of folks in this area with a strong local and cultural feel.
At first, I was nervous that people might not want me to take their pictures, especially when they were just being themselves in everyday moments. But it turned out that most people were so focused on what they were doing—riding bikes, playing cards, or going about their work—that they hardly noticed the camera. This let me take photos of them naturally, from close by, and created a quiet, genuine feel in the images.
In the first image, an uncle with his bike passes by a willow tree, lost in his own journey, unaware of being photographed. In the second image, uncles are fully into a game of cards in the park, their expressions and movements showing pure enjoyment, not caring about anything else around them. In the last image, a worker goes about his cleaning, while others in the background are either exercising or taking photos, each in their own world. These moments I captured show exactly what I wanted: people living their lives authentically, in their own little bubbles, making the photos feel real and full of life.

Blog 6: Statement of Intent

The title of this project is: “China’s Candid Moments”

The concept I want to tell with my photographs is: I want to take pictures of real people in China, not posing for the camera. I want to catch them laughing, working, or just hanging out. It’s about finding cool stories in everyday life.

I want my audience to feel: Like they’re right there with me, seeing what I see. I want them to feel the energy of the streets and maybe even smile at some of the funny or interesting moments I find.

I will get inspiration by looking for: Photos that feel real and unposed. I like Henri Cartier-Bresson’s “decisive moment” shots where everything in the picture feels perfect. I also like Alex Webb’s busy, colorful street scenes and Bruce Gilden’s super close-up, intense portraits. I’ll practice using light and shadows to make my photos more dramatic.

Bruce Gilden is a famous street photographer who is known for being super bold and even a little scary. His main thing is getting right in people’s faces with his camera and using a bright flash, even when the sun is out.

This makes his photos look really intense and dramatic, with deep shadows. He catches people by surprise, so his pictures show raw, honest reactions. Some people think he’s a genius for his style, but others think he’s just being rude to the people he photographs.

Blog 4: People of China

My next photo topic is the people of China. I want to capture real life, not posed pictures. Think of someone laughing with friends, a street vendor cooking, or kids playing. It’s all about finding cool moments in ordinary days.

My plan is to be sneaky but nice. I’ll use a small camera and just blend in. My goal is to be patient and wait for the perfect moment to click the button. I’ll always be respectful and smile if someone notices me.

I’m inspired by photos that tell a story with light, shadows, and interesting faces. I want my pictures to show the energy and emotion of daily life here. It’s likebeing a detective for awesome human moment

football scene

Concept 1: The Decisive Moment

This is all about catching a super quick, exciting moment. Here, we see the person jumping to kick the football, frozen in time. It’s like we’re right there in the action, seeing the energy and fun of that split second.
Concept 2: Strong Diagonals
Diagonals make a picture feel like it’s moving. In this image, the person’s body, the football’s path, and even the shadow form diagonal lines. These lines make your eyes move around the picture and make the scene feel lively.

Picture 2 (Basketball Scene)
Concept 1: Balance and Harmony
Balance and harmony mean all the parts of the picture look even and go well together. Here, the basketball hoop, the player, and the buildings/signs in the background don’t overpower each other. Everything feels balanced and nice to look at.
Concept 2: Perspective and Angles
This is about how you position the camera to show depth or make things stand out. The angle here shows the player shooting the ball, and the buildings and court make the picture feel deep. It’s like you’re watching the shot happen from that cool angle.

Picture 3 (Doorway Scene)
Concept 1: Concentrate on Framing
Framing is when something in the scene (like a door or window) acts like a frame for the subject. Here, the door frames the person inside, so your eyes focus on them and the paper. It’s like the door is a picture frame around that person.
Concept 2: Layers
Layers are different parts of the picture at different distances. In this image, there’s the door edge up front, the people in the middle, and the lights inside in the back. These layers make the picture feel deep and full of details.

Street photography is the art of taking candid pictures of everyday life in public places. It’s like people-watching with a camera — capturing real, unposed moments that tell a story or show emotion. You might photograph strangers talking, kids playing, interesting shadows, or funny signs. It’s not about perfect poses or scenery — it’s about finding something special in ordinary moments.

Think of it as:
Real life → seen in a new way → through a photo.