Field trip1: Isolated urban space for secrets: Rooftops.

Rooftops in Hong Kong are very special urban spaces. Not like other urban spaces that are easily accessible and probably multifunctional, rooftops are extremely isolated, bare and even useless spaces. A common impression of rooftops in Hong Kong is most likely from the famous movie, Infernal Affairs. In the movie, the rooftop works as a space for secrete meetings of spys. This unique use of space shows the characteristic of rooftops, isolated but with a broad view.

Zoom through a bird view shows rooftops’ suitability  for overlooking and secrete meetings.

In everyday life, we hardly go to rooftops for a lack of easy entrance. With many machines and pipes, rooftops are dangerous places for human activities. That is why rooftops are considered isolated to most of the people. However, when we standing on a rooftop, it is easy to observe what is going on in surrouding buildings and even on streets. This makes it a relavent secure urban space for secret events. With a broad view in the backgroud, the activities of characters are magnified, especially through a combination of both bird’s view and zoom. (Photo above)

Wide-angle shows the open view of the rooftop
Zoom shows a secret observe eye from the rooftop
Focus on details shows the rough and dangerous rooftop.
Crop gives the feeling of isolation
Bird’s eye shows the vertical depth of the city
Worm’s eye shows the isolation and height of rooftops
First person perspective is a combination of both the mess and the broad view of the rooftop
Skewed angle is trying to show the dynamic of the city
Perspective shows a gloomy depth from a rooftop view
The facade of architecture becomes the frame of the scenery from the rooftop

This seriality is trying to show the process of how our view moves and focus

The contrast of light and shade

By Guo Yuhui 3035533874

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