“… a fine way to capture a piece of the magic of a unique city. The drama, the charm and the beauty of Hong Kong is all here-just as is its breathless energy.” Nury Vittachi, Hong Kong: The City of Dreams
A few nights ago I walked up the long trail to the top of Victoria Peak. It was hot, muggy, and the air was very thick and heavy. I was walking with my heavy camera bag because I didn’t want to wait in the long queue for the tram.
I got to the top and was rewarded with one of the most spectacular views of any city I’ve ever been too. A glimmering, shimmery, colourful, buzzing city, laid out before me, bursting with intense energy and colour.
I had truly arrived in Hong Kong.
At the moment I am really getting into a lot of sunset / blue hour / night shooting here. If there was any city meant for night shooting, it’s Hong Kong.
So I want to show you some of the ideas I am playing with – and of course I’d love to hear what you think.
Showing work in progress can sometimes feel a little uncomfortable – when it’s not totally finished; when I am still mulling over photos that I am not always certain about; photos that maybe need a re-edit, or I’ll reshoot or need some more time to think over.
But I think there is so much value in seeing projects develop, and seeing the processes that people go through when they are putting a project together.
Amazing light, right!?
Hong Kong is amazing – if you haven’t been it’s everything you think it will be – times a thousand.
It’s overwhelming: gazillions of people everywhere, in very densely packed streets and blinding high rises. The air is thick and heavy and hot.
The colours are just WOW! I love it.
I am in a photographer’s paradise – if you like shooting cities of course. Di saw my first photos and said – this is so you’re kind of city!
Hong Kong is currently undergoing massive construction on the waterfront
This photo below is my favourite photo from the past week (I think…) It makes me think a little bit of that amazing film In the Mood for Love – which I suppose Hong Kong, with its tropical air and intense colours just lends itself to a cinematic feeling.
That moody dark blue sky, the shallow depth, a bit of thirds…yummy!
Blue hour here is so stunning because of the dramatic weather and how colourful the city lights are. It’s really stimulating! And as it starts to cool off my energy goes up. It’s a great combo to shoot with.
The density of artificial colour, mixed with all the rigid and repetitive shapes, is mesmerising.
I like finding little moments of quiet in cities, too.
Lots of simple contrasts….
Tropical trees & monolithic modern buildings: I’m totally obsessed with the trees here. I love anything that gives contrast to these giant monolithic buildings.
Wow, what colours! Makes me think of awesome 1980’s design.
“Give Hong Kong to an Artist. He can use it. It can be poetised.” Baris Gencel
I like this quote because even though Hong Kong is a hard city to ‘get to grips with’, I recommend you inhabit the wandering, poetic spirit because such modernity can of course be made into poetry and art.
Also, it’s too easy to get overwhelmed by big cities – and we always want to banish overwhelm in our creativity. You just have to accept that you’ll never fully capture such a changing, moving city in totality – so just inhabit the spirit of the observer, the poet and drift to what interests you and follow the light.
The edginess…
Every city has an edginess – and I always seem to be drawn to them.
I love to explore the gritty edges of cities. The places where things are ugly, stark, perhaps a bit brutalist. I am drawn to making something interesting with them.
I’m not driven to being super philosophical in my photography – I could say I like show the dark side of the human impact on the planet, but I leave that interpretation up to others to figure out.
So that’s it for now!
I’ve got some great street photography to share with you next time. Hong Kong is incredible for street photography!
But for now, I am going to carry on shooting and getting ready for my workshop that starts next week. I can’t wait. It’s so much fun shooting with other people in a place like this. The intensity! The colours! The buildings! The people! The exploration! (and the food). All awesome to share.
I’d love to know what you think of my photos – please comment below – its so great hearing what you think!
Have a wonderful day,
Anthony (with word-support and help from the awesome lady that is Diana)
SIMON ROTH
11/10/2017 @ 9:29 PM
Wow. Great shots Anthony! Wish I was there!
Epes
13/10/2017 @ 3:14 AM
Thanks Simon! I wish you were here too…next year mate. You will think it is the best ever!
Sandra Dodd
11/10/2017 @ 3:02 PM
I was forgetting to breathe, looking at these. The moon with the city below, and you seeing it from a dark place up high…. that was great.
The tree-frames for buildings are beautiful, and the quiet place you found.
I liked the descriptions, too.
Thanks for sharing all this.
Epes
13/10/2017 @ 3:18 AM
I am glad you like the images. I wasn’t sure of some of them as they are so new to me and I tend to be a bit insecure showing them so quickly, but some I think a few totally ROCK BABY!! 🙂 8)
It’s a great feeling to face a bit O fear and get such wonderful feedback. It gives my journey validation and purpose. Thank you so much for your support!
Sara Mason
11/10/2017 @ 1:16 PM
Absolutely stunning photos, Tony. 11/10!
Epes
13/10/2017 @ 3:19 AM
Want to see more!? I have a bunch that are really growing on me, which doesn’t really mean they are great, just my emotions getting involved. Thank you for your support and love Sara xxx
LILIANE CLEMENT
11/10/2017 @ 12:00 PM
Great shots! want more!!
Epes
13/10/2017 @ 3:21 AM
Hi Liliane
Thank you for commenting! Good to have your wonderful voice here. I miss your wit and humour! I will create a gallery here on the site soon.
Donna
11/10/2017 @ 11:11 AM
Awesome Anthony, great photos, very inspiring!
Epes
13/10/2017 @ 3:22 AM
Thank you Donna! Sometimes I forget it’s more than just our words that inspire you guys but my images too.
Debbie
11/10/2017 @ 10:39 AM
First of all, I’ll admit to being just a tad jealous. It’s my kind of city too! You know I was in Hanoi last month and it really didn’t grab me at first – I seriously considered leaving a couple of days early and moving to Hong Kong instead! But Hanoi did win me over in the end.
Some great images Anthony. I like the guy in the tram – this sort of shot always appeals to me. I like your favourite too. I like the colours and composition, and the reflection. But I think I’d prefer full depth of field, maybe – Hong Kong means sharp edges to me
But my favourite, I think, is the one below. The view down – wonderful colour, loads of yellow and just the right amount of aqua as a contrast.
Looking forward to seeing your street photography
Epes
13/10/2017 @ 3:33 AM
Debbie – this is your city for sure. It has a bit of everything plus a towering pillar of colour on top! After seeing the work you produced in Vietnam, stunning, I can confidently say you must visit HK. I would absolutely love to see what you come up with! (Very selfish statement!)
Regarding my favourite, the depth of field is a really important choice as there is so much information happening, blurring it concentrates the view without the background suffering. I understand you desire of sharp edges, but just after 24 hours of shooting I was feeling really overwhelmed by the cities intensity. Depth of field helps calm the image. I wonder if your choices would alter if you were here. Only one way to find out! 🙂
I am having difficulty with the street photography – I’ve got my full kit bag with all through the day so being a fly on the wall style tog is not an option for me. I look like a huge brown and black sweating Turtle… Regardless, I got some interesting shots I will share soon.
xxx
debbie
14/10/2017 @ 11:41 AM
Ha ha! I’m never very clandestine either.
But I have just dug out my smallest lens and smallest tripod ready for a quick trip to Budapest!
Your next Hong Kong trip doesn’t fit with my travel schedule sadly but I am hoping to get to Hong Kong next year between a work trip to Seoul and a photo trip to Tokyo