Poetics Of Space_ The University Courtyard

 University Courtyards

Poetics Space

Content 

For my photomontage, I chose to explore the relationship between architecture and Mother Nature. I selected the courtyard of my university campus because it is a familiar part of my daily life. The balance between tall buildings and structures that coexist with trees, paths, and green spaces softens the architecture’s starkness. The images were taken during the day, with natural light emphasizing the texture of the autumn trees and the contrast of the brick facades. By capturing these moments, I conveyed a peaceful atmosphere. Through my photographic perspective, I aim to give my audience a sense of layered memory, as if they are walking through the campus, experiencing multiple moments and perspectives at once. I want to express a harmony between the built environment and nature, and help people see that space is not just a physical place, but also a space of transition, movement, and reflection.

Composition

The composition of my photomontage depends on layering different images to create a dense visual space, full of lines, textures, and movement. The vertical forms of the trees and lampposts rhythmically structure the piece, while the paths’ diagonals naturally guide the viewer’s eye through the image. The eye moves continuously across my photomontage, attracted to various areas of contrast between light and shadow.

During the photomontage process, I followed the principles of movement, balance, and rhythm. By layering images, I create a visual sense of my experience as I move through the campus. I adjusted each image to ensure color consistency, unifying the entire piece despite the collage’s challenges. The abundant detail in the photomontage is not meant to distract but to convey that the perception of a place is not fixed.

Camera Work - Technical

The various photographs were taken to preserve detail in both shadows and highlights. In editing, I emphasized the textures of the trees, the bare branches, the deep shadows, and the variations in light, all of which are clearly visible, resulting in a final composition with a particular visual richness. The focus of the images varies slightly from shot to shot, creating a sense of depth when they are superimposed. These variations in brightness are not a flaw, but rather enhance the atmospheric quality of the montage, as if some areas belong to the present and others to a more hazy memory. The final photomontage thus maintains a balance between precision and abstraction. 

Craftmanships

Assembling the photos required meticulous selection and careful balancing of the images to avoid overwhelming the viewer. The layering of each image was carefully executed to create a coherent whole despite its complexity. The aim was to convey a sense of fluidity, like a weaving of images rather than a simple juxtaposition. I am undoubtedly delighted with the result, as it reflects thoughtful, deliberate intent. 

Opinion on the Photomontage

I chose my university campus because, as a senior, I wanted to honor the years I spent there and the paths I walked daily as an undergraduate. Every walkway, every tree, every building is part of my memories, and my photomontage condenses these fragments of the past into a single image. What I love about this work is precisely this idea of layered memories: as if several moments from my university years coexist visually. Through the photomontage, I present the campus not just as a physical place but as a space that accompanied, transformed, and carried me toward the next stage of my journey. If I were to change anything, I would explore this narrative dimension further by adding more personal perspectives. But in its current state, this image represents a gesture of gratitude toward the environment that shaped so much of my university experience.