Brief
Take a series of 10 photographs of any subject of your own choosing. Each photograph must be a unique view of the same subject; in other words, it must contain some ‘new information’ rather than repeat the information of the previous image. Pay attention to the order of the series; if you’re submitting prints, number them on the back. There should be a clear sense of development through the sequence.
In your assignment notes explore why you chose this particular subject by answering the question ‘What is it about?’ Write about 300 words. Your response to the question doesn’t have to be complicated; it might be quite simple (but if you can answer in one word then you will have to imaginatively interpret your photographs for the remaining 299!)
Introduction.
All of my assignments so far have focused on Hong Kong, and I wanted to maintain that theme for Assignment 5. For this project, I have spent numerous hours traveling back and forth on the ultimate symbol of Hong Kong—the Star Ferry. Thankfully, at less than 20p a journey, it’s an affordable way to capture a combination of the ferry’s steadfastness in a rapidly changing world, as well as the sense of peace and tranquility it offers to its passengers.
There’s nothing particularly complex about my technical approach to this assignment. It’s simply a matter of putting in the legwork, carrying a selection of lenses and cameras to capture the many aspects of ferry life. My goal is to convey both the enduring nature of the Star Ferry and the serenity it provides in a bustling, modern city.
The Images
What’s it about? The Star Ferry
For just HK$2, you can board the Star Ferry at Pier 7 in Central, Hong Kong, and embark on a journey that, despite the passage of time and relentless modernization, has remained remarkably unchanged for decades.
When I first visited Hong Kong on a short business trip, the Star Ferry was at the top of my must-do list. I had to tick it off my bucket list. Now, seven years later, I still take the ferry regularly and experience the same joy I felt on my first crossing. The Star Ferry encapsulates everything I love about Hong Kong. For five years, I lived just a stone’s throw away, and it became the starting point for many of my days out.
The Star Ferry is a living museum, operating daily from 6 am to 11 pm, only ceasing service during typhoons, regardless of how many passengers board. Though it’s no longer the sole way to cross the harbor, it remains just as vital to the city’s life as it ever was.
I often describe happiness as boarding the Star Ferry, coffee in hand, and setting off on the short seven-minute journey across Victoria Harbour. There is a unique peace and tranquility aboard the ferry, even during the busiest times, that you can’t experience with any other form of transportation. Life on the ferry moves at a different pace. There are details to observe, fresh air to breathe, and personal space—something you never quite feel on the MTR (Hong Kong’s underground). These images aim to capture the sense of calm and contentment I feel each time I step on the ferry.
