Anthony Chan - As Life Goes By

Anthony Chan

As Life Goes By

Introductory comments

This series of eight black and white photographs captures a visually captivating and moody sequence of scenes from an urban alleyway or passageway. The consistent use of a high-contrast, dramatic lighting creates a strong sense of visual unity and emphasis throughout the set.

The primary visual elements at play are line, shape, form, and value/tone. The predominant use of dark shadows and silhouettes against bright highlights and reflections generates a stark, graphic quality that immediately draws the viewer's attention. The repetitive use of the vertical and diagonal lines of the architectural features, such as the railings and doorframes, establishes a rhythmic pattern that guides the viewer's eye through the series.

The placement and framing of the human figures within the doorways and passageways creates a sense of depth, perspective, and movement, further enhancing the cinematic and atmospheric quality of the images. The varied positions and poses of the figures introduce an element of visual variety, while the overall symmetry and balance of the compositions maintain a cohesive and harmonious visual experience.

The lack of color and the focus on tonal contrast contribute to a moody, dramatic, and almost film-noir-esque aesthetic. This choice of visual treatment effectively evokes a sense of mystery, intrigue, and underlying tension, drawing the viewer into the narrative possibilities of each individual frame.

By skillfully combining these visual elements and design principles, the photographer has crafted a compelling and visually captivating sequence that invites the viewer to engage with the atmospheric and evocative qualities of the urban environment. The series as a whole conveys a strong sense of place, mood, and cinematic storytelling through the careful consideration and arrangement of the formal photographic elements.

Anthony Chan

As Life Goes By

Formal Analysis 

This series of eight black and white photographs presents a cohesive and visually compelling exploration of an urban alleyway or passageway. The consistent use of dramatic lighting, high contrast, and strong graphic elements establishes a unifying visual language throughout the set.

The primary formal elements at play are line, shape, form, and value/tone. The predominant use of vertical and diagonal lines, created by the architectural features such as railings and doorframes, generates a sense of rhythm and movement that guides the viewer's eye through the sequence of images. The sharp contrasts between the bright highlights and deep shadows in each frame create a strong sense of depth, form, and texture, evoking a moody, cinematic atmosphere.

The placement and framing of the human figures within the passageways introduces an element of narrative and scale, further enhancing the sense of depth and perspective. The varied positions and poses of the figures, ranging from silhouetted silhouettes to partially illuminated forms, contribute to the visual variety and interest throughout the series.

The lack of color and emphasis on tonal contrast allows the photographer to focus the viewer's attention on the essential formal elements. This deliberate visual treatment, which eschews distracting details, effectively conveys a sense of mystery, intrigue, and underlying tension.

The overall compositional balance and symmetry within each individual frame, as well as the cohesive sequencing of the images, create a harmonious and visually satisfying experience. The consistent use of scale, proportion, and spatial relationships reinforces the sense of unity and intentionality in the photographer's approach.

Through the skillful manipulation of these formal elements, the series communicates a strong sense of place, mood, and cinematic storytelling. The viewer is invited to engage with the atmospheric and evocative qualities of the urban environment, drawing connections between the individual frames and the broader narrative implied by the sequence.