Assignment 5 EYV – Self Reflection
Demonstration of Technical and Visual Skills:
The images for this assignment were captured using a range of cameras across multiple ferry journeys. At times, I used a compact EOS M mirrorless camera with a 35mm equivalent lens, while at other times, I relied on a full-frame DSLR with various focal length lenses.
Upon reviewing the images on my Mac, I found that many of the outdoor shots were unusable due to flat, grey lighting. I shot most of the images in aperture priority mode, being careful to avoid clipped highlights and shadows.
The post-processing for the images was minimal, focused mainly on enhancing the RAW files and maintaining consistency across the shots. I lost track of the number of ferry journeys I took during those days, switching between the Wan Chai and Central ferries, as well as the upper and lower decks. This allowed me to capture different perspectives and also helped to keep my presence inconspicuous.
Quality of Outcome:
Photography, in its simplest form, may seem straightforward—just point the camera and shoot. However, I’ve learned through this course that creating a cohesive collection that ties together visually and conceptually is far from easy. The photography itself felt relatively easy, but the challenge came in integrating the elements and maintaining a sense of progression.
I’m happy with the final images submitted for this assignment, and they received positive feedback from peer reviews in the OCA Facebook groups and course message board. A lot of thought went into the final selection and order of the images. The set is intended to reflect the journey from Tsim Sha Tsui, symbolizing the memories that the ferry holds for me. While it doesn’t depict a single journey, the images capture moments of joy experienced during these travels. The final image represents the ongoing nature of the ferry, always there for me when needed.
I did face some difficulty in choosing which pictures to include. The brief required showing new information with each shot, but I also needed to provide context and maintain a cohesive feel. Ultimately, I leaned towards a more eclectic set to show progression, and I hope that both my tutor and the assessors appreciate this approach.
Demonstration of Creativity or Imagination:
This assignment allowed me to explore the happiness I feel while riding the Star Ferry. I once said that as long as I could afford a coffee and the ferry fare, I would always be happy in Hong Kong.
Through these images, I’ve aimed to convey the sense of peace that comes with the ferry ride, which is something unique to this form of transport. This calmness is something I don’t experience with any other mode of travel. A potential future project could involve creating diptychs that pair the ferry with another form of transport, to explore how these experiences contrast.
Context:
My research for this assignment was inspired by the works of Alex Soth and Olivia Arthur, particularly their ability to capture the lives and expressions of different cultures. While both photographers extensively use people in their projects, I chose to distill this idea into my ferry journeys, without focusing too much on the human element. I also drew inspiration from Robert Frank’s Americans, using the ferry journey as a kind of microcosm of travel.
In hindsight, I feel my research for this assignment could have been more in-depth, as I was more focused on achieving my visual aims. However, I do believe that a ferry journey, even if only 10 minutes long, is a journey in itself, and I’ve done my best to convey this through my work.
There are other elements of the ferry I would have liked to explore, such as the financial aspects behind its operation, but I struggled to find a way to effectively illustrate this in the context of the assignment.
