The Reflection is located below the image collection

On Dismal Tracks is a photographic inquiry based at Henderson Train Station during the cold
winter nights where the station is not operational.

Before Media Design School I undertook a Photography Class for a year and studied the
principles and practical exercises of using a Digital DSLR camera, although I had some
experience with the camera, being in Auckland is a new way for me to stretch and make
use of the available resources such as the train station.

The surreal environment and life at train stations have this scent of insecurity and unnatural
characteristic to them in which makes my inquiry interesting. I wanted to show life at
this station. Off peak to deliver a unique and calming sense of understanding from one
perspective of the station.

The process for this inquiry involved a lot of pre-planning in order for the project to be
completed, one in which was to determine whether I would follow this investigation taking
the series of photos during the day at off-peak hours or at night, so I began taking test
shots and showcasing these images during a class interim critique, the feedback received
was to do some shots at night to express more emotion and provide a limitation in the
technicality of my photography, many commented that the series would be more effective
and interesting at night compared to daylight exposures, all this in which I noted down.

Within my final series you will notice the stillness and quietness and realm of the life after the
busy hours at Henderson Train Station, as per the brief I have deliberately implemented this
technique and theme to explore the shutter speed functions under reduced, artificial light
by the exterior facilities surrounding the area. These lights appear as beams that created a
range of mixed shadows and spot lights at different closed areas of Henderson Train Station,
this provides me with a range of environments to photograph, Images 5,6, 8 and 9 show this
example of spotlight beam lighting in which incorporates a dark shadow around the light.
In the end, I decided to photograph the station with the space evident, not focus on particular
elements and close up spaces of the area, I want the viewer to get a full understanding of
the station and full spectrum rather and having a series of close ups of elements.

In order for this project to work, a permit was required for me to Photograph the station at
night especially when no appointed security were present on the station. This required me
calling Kiwirail to let them know that I will be present during the period of 3 weeks taking
photos near the rail passage, I was then required to contact Auckland Transport to obtain
a permit to photograph on Council owned spaces, I then had to make several phone
calls before and during the night of photographing to the Britomart Railway Surveillance
Operations Unit which monitored station activity via CCTV camera, The presence of this
gave me a few Goosebumps being watched while completing this project because of
their PA system telling me off (Though I had a permit to validate the actions).

I chose an Auckland Council operated Prospectus/Magazine to feature my Context
adapted photographs “Regional Facilities Auckland” which is an edition that features
stations and other public spaces in the Auckland Region, the mock-up shows the train
station at night to communicate the night activity and the “After show” of these spaces
when they are not used at night” I thought this publication fits well because it relates back
into showcasing a council owned property for the willing reader to pick up and explore
about the editions “Featured” Henderson Train Station.

The space and design of this publication is to showcase more images than text to enhance
the readers viewer-ship.
My Final series could have been refined more in terms of duration of the photo-shoot,
unfortunately I had my deadline brought forward to challenge myself in delivering this
project before heading away for family reasons.

In Conclusion, I have enjoyed the Photographic Inquiry and I have learned more in
experience in delivering and showcasing nine images in a short period of time, The class
activities and demos regarding aperture, ISO and lighting have helped me make judgments
on how I could implement the same style into my own inquiry. I believe that I have done the
utmost to my ability and have enjoyed the process of selection and defining what should
be used and discarded.

Photography is a ongoing feature film...... Just keep at it