“The journey is more important than the destination”
Static camera moving subject
The first shot introduces the main attribute of the Escalators that I have chosen, which might not be so clear now, but will become so as the shots progress.
Time Lapse
The subject makes its way on the busy Escalators, and the shot from behind shows the endless commute that thousands of people make between Central and Mid-Levels everyday.
Slow Motion
The technique is used to highlight my main focus on the escalators. The pillars also naturally frames the subject and shows first person view.
In my opinion, any infrastructure in the city is truly alive when it is celebrated by the people of the city. People are not just one of the most important aspects of modern urban spaces, but also the most ignored ones. The Hong Kong crowd is one of the most prominent things about the city, and the Central Escalators are a proof of this. Thus I have chosen an ordinary traveler on the escalator as my focal point. The subject is a common sight, but unique in her own way. We see thousands of her everyday, without a destination, like an infinite journey through the concrete jungle. Being lost in the crowd and new to the city can be an overwhelming experience for many. However, the feeling of being lost in the crowd can also be liberating to many; it simply depends on our interpretation. Through my shots, I have tried to highlight this feeling of loneliness despite being surrounded by many, and also tried to incorporate the exploratory nature of the infrastructure. The Central escalators snake through the hilly terrains of Hong Kong, and the residential spaces have now been replaced by the fancy shops and restaurants. However they all represent the changing landscape of the city and how the people take them in their stride as they commute through the escalators everyday, either for work or leisure.
Panning Camera static Subject
The panning camera is used to show how the subject fits into the bigger picture of life on the Escalators.
High Angle
The high angle highlights the sense of height of the infrastructure and concludes the journey of the subject with us.
By Anahita Garg
(UID: 3035557856)
Your first two shots show an interesting movements on the escalator. Clever how you always brought the same person, ‘the subject’ into your frames. Yet, I would have enjoyed if you would have created a continuous story for your shots based on your writing; for example, how are people celebrating the escalator rather than using it out of convenience?