Upon Reflection is a photographic series exploring the theme of dualism, contrasting modern architecture with traditional photographic techniques to create a conversation between the old and the new. The subject, the newly constructed Law Courts, represents a contemporary take on institutional design, while my artistic process draws from both modernist principles and aged processes to emphasize contradiction. The collage of gloss prints, varying in size, mirrors the reflective quality of the building’s glass windows, with each image capturing a distinct perspective, tone, and angle.

The composition features A4 prints surrounding a central A2 piece, arranged with minimal distraction, creating a sense of dynamic contrast without overwhelming the focal point. The placement of the prints, though not symmetrical, encourages the viewer to engage with the varying perspectives, capturing the tension between modernity and tradition. Experimenting with darkroom techniques and digital manipulation, I added depth and gradience to some prints, while others remain true to a straight photographic style. The slight imperfections, such as unintended light exposure from printing errors, further highlight the contrast between control and unpredictability, reinforcing the overarching theme of dualism.

Throughout the process, I focused on the reflective nature of the Law Courts’ design, using both traditional darkroom processes and digital tools like Adobe Lightroom to manipulate tone, texture, and lighting. The experimentation with different materials—such as gloss paper, Type C photographs, and inkjet prints—allowed me to explore how the medium impacts the way light, reflection, and architecture are perceived.

Audience feedback guided my refinement of print placement and proportion, particularly in terms of removing white borders to create a seamless flow between the prints. The final presentation, intentionally crowded but balanced, reflects my emphasis on modernism and the way perspectives on time, reflection, and architecture evolve. Each print within the collage is carefully positioned to complement and contrast with the others, focusing attention on the windows of the Law Courts and the tension between light and shadow, form and function.

Upon Reflection ultimately explores the complex relationship between architecture and societal values, capturing the contradictions of modernism through both the subject matter and the medium. The series draws inspiration from the works of Ansel Adams and Paul Strand, whose use of full tonal range and photographic clarity influenced my own approach. Like their iconic landscapes and architectural images, the series examines themes of division, reflection, and the passage of time, while offering a contemporary interpretation of how modern and traditional methods can coexist to tell a compelling story.