Assignment 2 Self-Reflection
Technical and Visual
I consider this assignment a success, as it has significantly expanded my approach to both image-making and interpretation. I was able to apply my technical skills in camera handling and composition to create engaging images from a seemingly simple subject.
However, the major shortcoming in the initial submission was the quality of my assignment notes. I struggled to articulate my thoughts effectively. While the idea emerged from a random cigarette packet on the street, I failed to fully explain how I perceived these discarded items as lost, almost animal-like in nature.
Quality of Outcome
I’m pleased with the set of images I’ve produced. Technically, they align with my vision, and I’ve kept the approach straightforward without relying on complex photographic techniques. The set works well together visually, and I’m happy with the result.
There’s potential to expand this project further, perhaps by incorporating images of the cleanup process. However, after weeks of walking the streets, I realized that capturing the sweeping action, particularly with the traditional bamboo brushes used in Hong Kong, would be difficult without external help. Explaining this to a street sweeper in Cantonese would also present a challenge!
Creativity
The “A-ha” moment for me came when I was photographing crowds with the underlying theme of mobile phone use and stumbled upon a solitary cigarette packet lying in the middle of the road in one of the busiest areas of Hong Kong. To me, it resembled a lost animal or child, waiting for something. Once that idea clicked, the other images began to come together more naturally. While it may not be the most original concept, it marked a significant leap in my creative process.
I’ve realized that I need to do more research to fuel my creativity rather than relying solely on my camera skills. This is something I’m working to improve moving forward.
Context
This is the first major creative project I’ve undertaken in photography in years, possibly since my City & Guilds studies in the late 1990s. Up until now, I’ve relied on my technical abilities and the environment around me for inspiration. I’ve done themed shoots with a camera club or friends, but none have felt as purposeful as this. For me, this project was truly a creative endeavor. I thoroughly enjoyed the process of interpreting the subject matter and producing images with minimal processing, mostly using Lightroom presets and occasional global tweaks to exposure.
Now, I’m looking forward to reworking Assignment 3 and focusing on Part 4, “The Language of Light,” with a clear mind.
