jongbinhwang-ars281-fall2024

[jongbinhwang-ars281-fall2024]

Writing Prompt

This photograph presents a large classroom that is filled with empty chairs and tables. This black and white picture carefully delivers a void atmosphere to the audience and makes the viewers’ hearts blue. The lighting of the classroom is lit in a distant part of the room, leaving the portion near the viewer’s perspective covered in a dark shadow. This lighting design delicately delivers a feeling of distinction in an artistic way.

The objects are placed near the walls, but in an “organized random” way. The positions of the chairs seem to look as if someone pushed the items to the edges in a short time and the room has been desolate since then. This makes the audience imagine how the photographer stepped inside the isolated place and framed this precise moment into the viewfinder.

[jongbinhwang-ars281-fall2024]

Final Project Proposal "Light & Shadow"

Project Title: The Silhouettes of New York

Project Description:

This project captures diverse silhouettes of individuals in New York, blending them seamlessly into the urban landscape through black-and-white photography. Natural backlighting and minimalist framing enhance contrast and harmony, aiming to convey the city's vibrant energy in a visually impactful way.

Outcomes:

Five black & white images

8 X 12 size

Printed on matte paper

Submit to an artist open call for exhibition

Methods and Materials:

Sony A7 III

Samyang 35-150mm f/2-2.8 AF

Natural lighting

Adobe Lightroom Classic

References:

Elliott Erwitt's Paris (2010), Elliott Erwitt's New York (2008), Elliott Erwitt Snaps (2003)

Research and Supporting Material

Sample works I have done so far.

Proposals

The Silhouettes of New York project seeks to capture the diverse silhouettes of individuals seamlessly blending into New York’s urban landscape through black-and-white photography, drawing inspiration from Elliott Erwitt’s unique perspective and style. By focusing on contrast and harmony between subjects and the city, this work aims to convey the vibrant energy of New York in a visually striking way. The project will culminate in five black-and-white prints on 8 x 12 matte paper, prepared for submission to an artist open call for exhibition.

Each week, I will spend at least one full day—Friday, Saturday, or Sunday—capturing silhouettes across New York’s streets and interior spaces, using changing natural light to enhance contrast and shadow. With the Sony A7 III and Samyang 35-150mm f/2-2.8 AF lens, I have the flexibility to frame subjects and control depth of field, achieving a seamless blend with the urban backdrop. Final edits in Adobe Lightroom Classic will refine black-and-white tones, while research on lighting conditions and Elliott Erwitt’s style will inform the project’s visual approach.

New York, with its diverse backgrounds, reveals countless fleeting moments in the everyday lives of its people. This project aims to capture these subtle details, encouraging viewers to connect with unfamiliar lives and foster greater understanding. Moving forward, I plan to continue this silhouette approach in Seoul, drawing on my experiences in New York to capture Seoul’s unique essence in ways I hadn’t previously perceived.

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Influence

The photographer who influenced me is Elliott Erwitt. He is known for capturing everyday moment with a mix of humor and warmth, bringing out the beauty in unexpected timing. His photos are mainly black and white and he used simple compositions to tell stories in a straightforward way. His great works on snaps and public figures made him my favorite Magnum Photos photographer. Every time I go out to take street photography, I strive to capture photographs that convey deep emotions in a simple but precise and harmonious, inspired by Elliott's works.

I had a chance to take photos with Fashion Club SBU this week, so I tried to capture short moments that were humorous and exquisite. I made color corrections to black and white, and gave a bit of contrast like Elliott. The photos were taken indoor, but for the following project, I'm thinking of going outside and take pictures in the street.

f/4 | 1.100s | ISO 2000

f/4.5 | 1/100s | ISO 2000

f/4.5 | 1/100s | ISO 2000

f/5.6 | 1/100s | ISO 4000

f/9 | 1/100s | ISO 4000

f/6.3 | 1/100s | ISO 2000

[jongbinhwang-ars281-fall2024]

Midterm Project

City of Light, Shadow of Souls

When you first arrive in a new city, you are met with a forest of towering buildings. The city either reflects the sunlight or glows with its own brilliance after dark. However, as time passes, you begin to sense the lives of those dwelling within. It is the moment when your focus shifts from the bright concretes walls to the inconspicuous souls they conceal. During the golden hour, when light and shadow coexist, I captured hidden silhouettes of dynamic lives hidden behind the facades. What I learned from golden hour project is that it’s an ideal time for photography, not just because it is the most dramatic moment of sunlight during the day but also due to the unique qualities of the light. As the sun lowers in the sky, its height and direction change, resembling studio lighting. The light passes through more clouds, creating a softer, more diffused effect. The color temperature also varies by the minute, allowing for the creation of diverse atmospheres. Moreover, the exposure level is optimal when the aperture is fully open, giving freedom to control depth of field effectively.

f/2.8 | 1/100s | ISO 200

f/2.8 | 1/100s | ISO 250

f/2.8 | 1/100s | ISO 100

f/2.8 | 1/160s | ISO 250

f/9 | 1/100s | ISO 100

f/9 | 1/100 | ISO 100

f/2.8 | 1/100 | ISO 100

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Assignment 4b

f/32 | ISO 100 | 30s

f/14 | ISO 100 | 6s

f/14 | ISO 100 | 6s

f/25 | ISO 100 | 6s

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Assignment 4a

f/22 | ISO 100 | 20s

f/22 | ISO 100 | 20s

f/22 | ISO 100 | 20s

f/22 | ISO 100 | 20s

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Assignment 3b

High ISO

f/22 | ISO 3200 | 1/125s

Low ISO

f/5.6 | ISO 100 | 1/400s

Deep depth of field

f/2.8 | ISO 1250 | 1/100s

Shallow depth of field

f/2.8 | ISO 100 | 1/2500s

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Assignment 3a

Shallow depth of field: f/2.8 | ISO 100 | 1/500s

Deep depth of field: f/8 | ISO 100 | 1/100s

Fast shutter speed: f/16 | ISO 2000 | 1/1000s

Slow shutter speed: f/16 | ISO 100 | 30s

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Assignment 2

f/5.6

ISO 500

1/1250s

f/18

ISO 100

1/100s

f/2.8

ISO 100

1/250s

f/16

ISO 160

1.3''

f/14

ISO 200

1/500s

f/14

ISO 100

1/100s

[jongbinhwang-ars281-fall2024]

Assignment 1

Vivian Maier (1926 - 2009)

The photographer I chose is Vivian Maier. She is a street and portrait photographer who mainly took photos in New York and Chicago. She worked as a baby sitter and didn't receive any lessons on photography, but she took countless photos and have become one of the most famous photographer nowadays. Since I enjoy walking around with my camera, I want to take photos of NYC from a unique perspective like her.