I selected this picture because I was amazed by the matching colors of the cleaner and the containers. The orange and yellow color pattern stands out strongly from the rest of the picture, creating high contrast that captures the audience’s attention.

I selected this picture because I loved how the black and white filter created a sense of story and tension. The tight composition of the uncle playing poker increases the focus on the main subject. The smoke from his cigarette also adds a layer of texture on top of the tree trunk, making the entire image more layered and aesthetic riches.

I selected this picture because of the meaningful composition. The chef is placed on the right 1/3 of the frame, right beside a wall. The empty left-hand side of the image and his posture, looking down at his phone, reveal a sense of loneliness. The high-contrast black & white filter and blurry lens also enhance this type of feeling.

I selected this photo because it captures a powerful emotional moment, which instantly draws the viewer’s attention. The child’s expression feels natural and spontaneous, a key strength in street photography. There’s also a nice contrast between the child’s blue jacket and the warm red of the adult’s coat, helping guide the viewer’s eye. The background activity adds context without overwhelming the main interaction. Overall, it feels real, lively, and full of story.

I selected this image because it conveys a peaceful moment. The relaxed posture and slight smile feel natural, not unintentional. The bright red ceiling adds vivid color that highlights the composition. The tree trunk and soft background create depth, making the scene feel grounded and solid. It also captures a slice of daily life in a visually pleasing, balanced way. The atmosphere feels warm, calm, and authentically observed.

I selected this photo because it succeeds in conveying a playful, cheerful feeling. The child’s expression while biting the snack is lively and unscripted, making the moment engaging to the audience. The colorful fruits add interest and contrast nicely with the blue jacket. The tilted angle of the child’s head gives the photo energy. Meanwhile, the street setting provides a natural context that does not distract from the main subject. It feels fun and bright.

I selected this photo because it conveys to the audience a dynamic and living Chinese street atmosphere. This image can be sliced into three sections: one in the front, a pile of bikes, a taxi in the middle, and plants in the back. The bikes in the front are stationary, with a blue color, creating a strong and clear contrast with the red car. The trees and bushes in the background are like a backdrop, while not stealing the focus, they give the whole image a more vibrant and lively feeling.

I selected this photo because it captures the daily relaxed life of Chinese uncles. The uncle on the front left side provides a close-up view, while the top-down angle, showing four gathered around the table, reveals the different ranks and statuses. The intricate composition also implies the Intrigue and strategic maneuvering of them playing poker.

Snapshot

Top 9

Final

Reflection

After editing my photos, I was really surprised by how well the contrast and black-and-white grainy texture were presented. Although my work isn’t a perfect replica of my reference artist’s style and composition, it reflects my own interpretation within a different place and time. These differences allowed me to capture the uncles of the Hutongs in a distinctly local and cultural context.

At first, I was worried that I couldn’t find people who would allow me photograph them, especially while they were engaged in activities that might be considered “rule-breaking.”, but it turns out that these uncles are all too concentrated on doing their own thing barely noticing the camera, which gives me a chance to photograph them naturally, from a closed distance, creating a sense of quiet tension in the images.

In my first image, an uncle smokes while playing poker in a public park, ignoring the people around him. In my second image, another walks through a crowded street with a cigarette in his mouth, showing little concern for others. In my last image, the swimmer climbs down into a lake where swimming is prohibited, disrupting the calm and safety of the area. These moments I photographed perfectly portray my intention: people acting without awareness of rules or consequences, as if “no one is watching”.

The title of this project is “No One Watching”. The concept I want to convey and emphasize in my photograph is the movement and the natural expressions of elderly people in the Houtongs. When taking the photos, I will try to get really close to the figure to capture their subconscious eye contact with the camera. The photos I will capture will also have a strong sense of dynamic movement, for example, walking, jumping, or even just playing poker on a table in the park. These are all actions that, when captured as a still image, can still be understood by the audience, making them feel the beauty of rhythm and chaos. Also, I want my audience to feel a sense of tension by capturing prohibited behaviour in that area. For example, like smoking and swimming. I will use high contrast, black & white, and irony in my photos to achieve this.  I found inspiration for how to create these effects in a photographer named Daido Moriyama.

Works Cited:

Daido Moriyama

“Making a definitive declaration of intent or meaning kills the photograph.”

Daido Moriyama is a Japanese photographer best known for his black-and-white street photography. His photos are in a raw, gritty, and confrontational style, often featuring high-contrast, grainy, and out-of-focus techniques. His work rejects traditional composition, instead embracing a spontaneous, instinctual approach to street photography that captures the chaotic energy of urban life. Key characteristics in his photos include tilted angles, unconventional framing, and a focus on capturing the subjective, emotional experience of wandering the city. 

 

Stray Dog, Misawa, 1971

Daido Moriyama took this photograph in 1971 of a Stray Dog, in Misawa, Aomori. There is a few things about this image that makes me feel fascinated: I would not have thought of to crop this photo so tightly, but this is one of the most famous elements of his work that makes this composition so powerful of a solid dog resting within the frame.

The colors in this photo is quite stiff. The high contrast and exposure makes mid tones to almost disappear. It reminds me of the ying yang symbol with its black and white shape interlocking with each other, to me, it references some kind of calligraphy. I think this works really well as the image captures a moment of intense, uncertain encounter. The dog’s watchful look mirrors the photographer’s intense, direct, and often confrontational style.

Works Cited: