Pictured here is the top of a tower in downtown Summerside. Taken on October 11, 2021 by Julianna Gillis.

Reflection

This was my favourite assignment so far. 

I always thought Downtown Summerside wasn't very exciting. It turns out it isn't so bad if you look at it differently. After watching the video about Eggleston's photography, I went out and decided I wouldn't just look for the picture-perfect things and try to make something out of something someone would look past. I found it difficult as a perfectionist, but I got some pretty cool photos out of things I thought wouldn't work out. I  really enjoyed the looking down pictures and realized how much the leftovers of strangers could tell a story, for example, the empty cigarette box behind the railing bars. I thought that seemed quite symbolic. Downtown was quite empty as it was Thanksgiving here in Canada and most places were closed. I really had to look at everything else rather than what I'm used to, photographing people. Going around my 3 blocks, I realized that when I reversed the course and turned around, my right side became my left, so I decided I would just roll with it. I continue on finding more things technically on the same side, just in a reversed view. I found more things that I had missed before and didn't catch the other way around. I probably should have just turned back around and done it the right way, but I just continued the way the instructions said, and I think it still turned out well. As I was taking a photo of one of the many buildings, a guy on the street asked me If I liked to take photos of random things. I replied with " Yes, I do." 
 
This was the first assignment I used manual mode and really had to practice using what I learned so far in class. I had a few lighting changes and struggled to balance the shutter speed and aperture while also making sure the ISO wasn't too high. After quite a few tries, I finally got what I was looking for. The sun was too bright and made it super challenging to find the correct exposure. I learned I will be shooting later in the day next time.

I will definitely start slowing down and looking at the things that I'd usually pass by. I've learned from this assignment that it is okay to take your time and look at everything, try it out, and see what comes of it. I am excited to do more shoots like this in the future and really look at what I would typically overlook. Out of the top 10, I would have to say my favourite photo would be the one of the Chinese Restaurant. I really like how downtown reflects in the window while also clearly showing what the building is.