Returning to My Creative Roots: PDX Squared 2025 in Chinatown
Some photo opportunities feel like fate—but this year, it felt more like choice.
PDX Squared made its long-awaited return this weekend, and I couldn’t have been more excited to dive back in. It’s always been one of those events that fuels my creative spark—a blend of exploration, community, and a healthy dose of friendly competition.
When I pulled Square 67—the Holgate/Gladstone area—I knew right away it wasn’t where I wanted to focus my lens. I’d worked that square before, and while every place has potential, I wasn’t feeling it. Thankfully, this year introduced Wild Card options, and I didn’t hesitate to follow my instincts straight to Chinatown.
If I could choose anywhere to shoot, it would be here or under the bridges. The Chinatown square has it all! Plus, so many textures, the glow of neon, the layers of culture and history—it’s everything I love to capture.
I spent Friday night fully immersed, chasing light and shadow until midnight. The process—the looking, seeing, and creating—is always where I find the most joy.
By Saturday morning, I was in a familiar blur—culling and editing against the clock to get my images submitted in time. I ended up placing all my entries into the Urban Landscape category, which meant carefully selecting individual frames I felt could stand on their own. Shifting from the creative flow of shooting to making quick competition decisions is always a tricky transition for me. I prefer having the space to reflect and be more intentional with my choices, so working under pressure—especially after a few years away—definitely kept me on my toes. But that’s part of the challenge—learning to trust your instincts when time isn’t on your side.
While only a handful of images made it to the judges, I found myself drawn back to the full collection—the moments in between, the textures, the quiet frames that didn’t fit the competition brief but still captured the essence of that night in Chinatown.
So, I’m sharing them here.
These aren’t "extras"—they’re the supporting elements that give context and character. Like any good story, it’s not just the bold statements that matter, but the atmosphere and details that surround them.
PDX Squared has always been more than a contest for me. It’s about reconnecting—with creativity, with fellow photographers, and with the city itself. This year reminded me how much I missed that.
A huge thank you to everyone behind the scenes who brought this event back—we truly appreciate the work it takes.
Here’s a look beyond the competition—my full Chinatown experience. I’d love to hear which images resonate with you, so feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments! Click on the image to see it larger!
(All photos were made on my Sony A72)
PDX Squared is put on by ASMP - Event Page
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— Angela
My Top 5 Submissions
Here are the five images I submitted—narrowed down with a little help from friends during the final rush. If we’d had insight into the judges' preferences ahead of time, I might have made a completely different selection! But that’s part of the fun (and challenge) of PDX Squared—trusting your eye in the moment.
