黃楚喬的山海經 (editorial note)
黃楚喬現今保存下來的山海經系列照片共有25張，拍攝於2010至2013年間。原是一個持續的拍攝計劃。所有照片均是以4x5大幅照相機拍攝，使用6x12 cm 彩色正片膠卷。大約兩年前我們發覺整份數描檔案遺失了。現在刊用的均是來自當年設置用來作紀錄觀看的網頁，像數低，也大小不一。他日編輯紙本出版或發行照片，可按原本正片重新數描。這也是傳統照像物料的好處。它沒有數碼物料那麼方便，但又同時又提供了其他方面的優點。
楚喬這組作品是使用一具我替她組裝的大片幅照相機，之前撰過一文談及該照相機的設計理念，收編在此作為一份參考。我寫過一首詩「」提到楚喬前往鐘活公園拍攝一張照片，其所指的也就是山海經拍攝計劃。是組照片全都是以公園為拍攝對象，至於所暗指的休𤫊走獸，正如我詩所言，都在樹梢之後，不為所見。從某角度去說，這也是一組觀念性的攝影。
Holly created a total of twenty-five pieces for her Shan Hai Jing series, with photos taken between 2010 and 2013. Originally intended as an ongoing project, the series was captured with a 4x5 large-format camera using 6x12 cm positive roll film. About two years ago, we discovered that the entire collection of scanned files had been lost. The images published here are low-resolution files sourced from web pages originally set up for viewing purposes, displayed in inconsistent sizes. In the future, if we plan to publish books or release new prints, we could rescan the original film—an advantage of analog materials. While they lack the convenience of digital media, they also offer other benefits.
These photos were taken with a large-format camera I assembled for her. I have written an article about the design concept of this tool, included here as a reference. In my poem, “Holly descending a staircase from the third floor to the gallery, about to go out to make a photograph at Trinity Bellwoods Park,” I mention Holly preparing to photograph in the park, referring to this Shan Hai Jing project. Her entire series focused on parks. The elf dolls and mythical creatures, as mentioned in the poem, were hidden and beyond sight among the branches and twigs. In a way, this series can also be described as conceptual work.