The Beginning of My Lens

The Beginning of My Lens is a cross-media photographic project that traces my journey of becoming a photographer — from my early fascination with sneaker photography to my current exploration of transforming commercial aesthetics into a form of self-expression.

The project consists of three interconnected parts: the photographic series Feng, Lin, Huo, Shan (Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain), a photobook, and a self-interview documentary. Together, they construct a visual narrative about growth, experimentation, and identity.

Inspired by The Art of War by Sun Tzu, Feng, Lin, Huo, Shan (Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain) symbolises four natural forces:
Wind represents speed and freedom; Forest embodies balance and order; Fire conveys passion and energy; Mountain stands for stability and resilience.

I extend these qualities into the context of branding — Wind aligns with sportswear brands, Forest with outdoor brands, Fire with womenswear, and Mountain with menswear. Through these visual metaphors, I aim to create a resonance between brand imagery and natural spirit, allowing commercial fashion photography to balance dynamism and stillness while embedding emotional and conceptual depth.

The photobook and self-interview documentary further expand on this idea, retracing my creative journey from the moment I first picked up a camera to the present. They document the evolution of my visual language and reflect my continuous, intimate connection with photography itself.

Through this project, I seek to merge the visual language of commercial photography with artistic introspection, questioning the boundaries between product and personality, surface and substance.

The Beginning of My Lens is both the conclusion of my academic journey and the beginning of a new creative chapter — a return to my original passion and a point of departure toward the future.

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Rednote: 乔纳森JJ