Black-and-white smoking portrait: A moody, shadowed close-up of a man smoking while playing cards.
It’s a quiet but interesting moment. The shadows add a little mystery, the part of life while smoking and playing cards make it very natural.
A colorful, emotional shot of a young boy crying with his mother? in a public square.
It shows the different emotions going around the hutong. The mom I would assume was trying to cheer the boy up, he started crying instead. Gives the viewer the idea that you can hear his cries, like pulls the viewer in to wehn this happened.
A black-and-white candid moment of a local strolling near a bridge.
It captures how hutong life isn’t just busy and boisterous, its peaceful too. The man looks relaxed, like he’s taking time to enjoy the view. Black-and-white keeps it simple and focused on his calm mood.
A colorful shot of a driver relaxing under willow trees, his car’s red popping against the green in the background
t’s a happy, calm moment, him even posing for the photo. The bright colors make it feel cheerful, and the willow trees add that classic Beijing vibe. (this might be a stereotype im sorry)
A wide shot of a traditional alley, capturing pedestrians and old architecture
It gives a “big picture” of where hutong life happens. You can see how people’s life were back then (a glimpse) of course different. And see the more “real” side of life with no sky scrappers or fancy buildings just the everyday moments of life.
A color close-up of a man pausing to smoke in a busy hutong. It’s a genuine, “no-filter” moment. He’s not posing, just enjoying a smoke. d. The color makes the hutong’s details (like the old walls behind him) pop. Gives me the idea like from a scene of a movie.
A bright, lively shot of a driver navigating a tree-lined street with tourists.
It shows how hutong life connects people from different places. The driver looks proud to share his city, and i like how the colors contradict.
A street food seller engaging with customers, and because I found the lady really pretty, with “地道味” (authentic flavor) signs in the background. I like because it shows the friendliness of huton life, and how the vendors don’t only sell food but connect with people.
Together these photo show the real side of hutong, how there’s joy, but also sadness. How its loud and crazy, but also a side of it is peaceful and quiet. It shows the real and honest side of the hutong.