In general, Cheng's perspective displayed a composure and concern rarely seen then and which imbued his subjects with a Mona Lisa-like affinity and tenderness. Cheng also paid considerable attention to the society around him during this period, producing the "Chiufen" and "Keelung" series which have shown more lasting power than some of his more formalist experiments.
鄭桑溪在這段時間所拍的作品，包括「九份」、「基隆」等系列，較關心主題本質的自然呈現，其人間性、社會性的關心初探，在流傳意義上是遠超過他在後來所做的其他嘗試。