Society in Buildings
The name of my triptych is “Society in Buildings”. As mentioned in my statement of intent, my goal of the 798 trip was to capture the oppressive and depressing mood and environment of the region and city, something which my triptych further elaborates on to show how basic buildings around us shape the moods of our lives and how we live. The set well expresses the status of the Beijing as a city while providing a reflection for the society
The first image captures a steel factory with a set of electrical wires. The geometric shapes of the buildings and the chimney in the background stand out against the white background with high exposure, while the electrical wires form lines which pass above the main point of interest, adding on a feeling stability and control over the subject, conveying the emotions which I was hoping to show. The sharp focus of the camera captures the details of the infrastructure, which shows decay and a sense of ‘slow death’, which I find is extremely symbolic in how industries have been fading away from the city and region in recent years. The factory lying alone in the image also shows isolation and nothingness, adding upon a reflection of our own lives and the way we live in the society. Overall, the composition of the image with its deep meaning are the reason it has been included in the set.
The second image features a lonely alleyway in the region. The lighting of the image gets from dark to light as the alley progresses to the end of the image, which combined with the composition of the image that uses the rule of thirds and leading lines cleverly, captures and grabs the audience’s attention to the lighted part of the image. This advancement of light throughout the image is symbolic, showing the state in which people live in compared to the hope there truly is. The contrast of colors between the different components of the image is also vibrant, with a blue door far in the distant, the darkness at the corners, and a soothing yellow color of the buildings. The houses featured in the photo are basic living quarters, with them captured at an angle and perspective which makes the audience feel empathy for their environment. Summarizing, the reason this image was included in the set is mostly because of its balance between appealing visual elements and deep meaning and symbolism behind.
Lastly, the third image features multiple water pipes on a building, with one passing through the center of the image from left to right and with a building almost fading in the background. Similarly to the first image, the image reflects a suppressive feeling, as well as adds on a mood of nostalgia and time, showing and symbolizing how the city and our lives have changed during the course of time. However, the visual components are the true beauty of the image The repetitive parallel lines on the left hand side of the image create a feeling of stability and link the image with our daily lives, making it seem more familiar and easier to process. The shadows of the pipes and building in the background add depth to the image. The main point of interest, the thick pipe passing through the middle, shows rust and decay, as well as creates a sort of layering for the image.
The set comes together well not only visually but also in meaning and theme. The title “Society in Buildings” connects them all, showing and linking their common theme together to create the final product which is shown.