My project delves into the intersection of urban life and cinematic aesthetics, capturing the raw, unfiltered moments of the streets through a lens that emphasizes mood, light, and narrative. Drawing inspiration from photographers like Fan Ho, who masterfully utilized light and shadow to create dramatic urban scenes, and Eric Kim, who embraced the imperfections of street life, my work seeks to transform everyday encounters into cinematic vignettes.
The vision is to evoke a sense of storytelling in each frame, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the fleeting narratives of city dwellers. By incorporating elements such as shallow depth of field, cinematic color grading, and dynamic compositions, I aim to blur the lines between documentary photography and film stills, creating images that resonate with both realism and artistic flair.
Artistic Choices:
Lighting: Emphasizing natural and artificial light contrasts to create mood and depth.
Composition: Utilizing leading lines, reflections, and framing techniques to guide the viewer's eye and enhance storytelling.
Color Grading: Applying cinematic color palettes to evoke specific emotions and atmospheres.
Perspective: Experimenting with angles and viewpoints to offer fresh interpretations of familiar scenes.
Reflection
Learning Process:
Embarking on this project has been a journey of continuous learning and adaptation. Initially, I focused on capturing technically perfect images. However, as I delved deeper into the cinematic approach, I realized that storytelling and emotional resonance were paramount. This shift in perspective led me to experiment with various techniques, from manipulating light to exploring unconventional compositions, all aimed at conveying a narrative within a single frame.
Learning Process:
Embarking on this project has been a journey of continuous learning and adaptation. Initially, I focused on capturing technically perfect images. However, as I delved deeper into the cinematic approach, I realized that storytelling and emotional resonance were paramount. This shift in perspective led me to experiment with various techniques, from manipulating light to exploring unconventional compositions, all aimed at conveying a narrative within a single frame.
Successes:
One of the most rewarding aspects has been the positive feedback from peers and mentors, who have appreciated the cinematic quality and emotional depth of the images. Additionally, the process of refining my editing skills to achieve the desired aesthetic has been both challenging and fulfilling.
One of the most rewarding aspects has been the positive feedback from peers and mentors, who have appreciated the cinematic quality and emotional depth of the images. Additionally, the process of refining my editing skills to achieve the desired aesthetic has been both challenging and fulfilling.
Challenges:
A significant challenge was overcoming the initial self-consciousness of photographing strangers in public spaces. Drawing inspiration from Eric Kim's philosophy of embracing imperfection and focusing on self-discovery, I learned to approach street photography with a sense of openness and curiosity, rather than fear.
A significant challenge was overcoming the initial self-consciousness of photographing strangers in public spaces. Drawing inspiration from Eric Kim's philosophy of embracing imperfection and focusing on self-discovery, I learned to approach street photography with a sense of openness and curiosity, rather than fear.
Growth:
This project has not only enhanced my technical skills but also deepened my understanding of visual storytelling. It has taught me to observe the world more attentively, to find beauty in the mundane, and to appreciate the fleeting moments that make up our daily lives.
This project has not only enhanced my technical skills but also deepened my understanding of visual storytelling. It has taught me to observe the world more attentively, to find beauty in the mundane, and to appreciate the fleeting moments that make up our daily lives.