Neighbourhood Postcards with a Twist: Exploration in Six Clicks

(An Essay in Six Images)

Several of the speakers who’ve presented to our Club have shared a similar piece of advice: if you really want to grow as a photographer, try developing a series or body of work. This project is a way to put that idea into practice.

The challenge is to embark on a visual storytelling adventure by stepping into a neighbourhood you’ve never explored before. Whether you choose a neighbourhood in New West that you don't know yet, or choose the bustling streets of Vancouver, the quiet corners of Port Moody, or the diverse enclaves of Burnaby and Surrey, each location offers unique moments waiting to be captured.

Your assignment is to create a six-image story—a set of “postcards” that capture your experience from first impression to final reflection. Think about how light, composition, and perspective can guide your viewer through the narrative you’re building.

Consider observing the details that make a neighbourhood tick: people in motion, architectural textures, the play of nature and urban life. Think of your first impression, the details that caught your eye, moments of stillness or movement, and how you felt at the end of your walk.

Use a mix of wide shots, intimate close-ups, and transitional frames to build a visual narrative. This is an exercise in slowing down, seeing with intention, and telling stories through pictures.  And this is a chance to think about your photography as more than a single image - think of it as a body of work - and explore the creative possibilities this brings.

You will be submitting your six images to the NEIGHBOURHOOD POSTCARDS image upload folder, which will open in February. (Remember you find this by choosing “Submit images to a competition” under the Themes and Competitions tab). 

In order to ensure that your images are projected in your intended order, please use the following file naming convention:  #-Image Title, e.g. 03-Strange Places.  You do NOT need to include your name in the file name.  The system will attach your name.