The Transparency

“In a world perpetually in motion, where time flutters by in fleeting moments, I find comfort in capturing the symphony of life through the lens of my camera. Each click resonates with a story waiting to be unveiled. Photography isn’t just a hobby; it’s an art that paints the vibrant palette of life onto still frames.”

Have you ever glanced at old photographs of yourself, attempting to recall the memories tied to that moment, only to find the details slipping through the cracks of recollection? Being the photographer it’s quite the contrary. Each picture I’ve captured holds a vivid recollection of the emotions, the ambiance, and the essence of the precise moment I aimed to encapsulate. 

This passion for photography unfolded in my life as if it were a god’s gift , a unique way for me to express my inner self. Growing up in a traditional Chinese household, I was repeatedly advised to pursue a career steeped in professional skills. As a result, during my A-levels, I have chosen subjects like biology, psychology aiming to broaden my vision  and offer utility to the wider world. However, as the academic year progressed, I found myself increasingly overwhelmed. While my classmates seemed inherently inclined towards scientific pursuits, effortlessly excelling with dedicated study, I felt a gap in my own performance, struggling to match their exceptional grades. During this phase, I came across a friend engrossed in photography, expressing the exhaustive process of planning every shoot and carefully analyzing each frame. The more I delved into her experience, the more it resonated with something I felt impassioned about. It seemed like a pursuit worth dedicating my utmost effort to. After debating with my thoughts for a while, I made the choice to swap biology for photography. It stands as the most rewarding decision I’ve made so far in my life journey.

For my project, I have started an exploration on human emotions, coming up with creative ways to express each of them as individuals. I found immense joy in comprehending the essence of each person I encountered, capturing their essence through the lens. The depth of my connection with each individual is what etches the emotions of every frame into my memory, I invested myself wholly in understanding them on a personal level. But what truly resulted from my passion for capturing emotions was an unforgettable photoshoot with a group of children. I was drawn to preserving their carefree and unadulterated essence, unlike the adults I had previously worked with. Children easily articulate their emotions through direct facial expressions. Their purity lies in their genuine reactions, which mirror their true emotions. Admittedly, it was a challenging session, but I was determined to encapsulate the image I envisioned. To achieve this, I had to shed the confines of self-presentation and immerse myself fully in the moment, embracing fun alongside them. In doing so, I captured the unfiltered rawness I sought within the image. These pivotal  photoshoots marked my photographic journey. Dorothea Lange’s words resonate deeply with me: “To me, documentary photography means making a picture so that the viewer doesn’t think about the man who made the picture. At its best, it’s ‘transparency’.” I wholeheartedly align with this feeling. My aim is to evoke emotions in the viewer through the captured frame without relying heavily on my edits, allowing the authenticity of the moment to speak volumes without the distraction of overt manipulation.

Through the lens, I’ve discovered the beauty of transparency, where emotions speak louder than any words or edits could convey. It’s about keeping hold of moments that mean something, even after they’ve slipped away. It’s not just about the pictures; it’s the stories they tell and the emotions they hold onto. Each photo It’s a bit of who I am and a glimpse into the world’s emotions. Every picture becomes a treasured piece of life’s story.