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When envisioning Hong Kong through a photographic lens, Fan Ho is the name that instantly springs to mind. His monochromatic portrayals of Hong Kong’s streets and people hold an iconic place in the grand history of photographic literature. Fan Ho made you smell those streets, made you feel how life was in the 1960s. While Hong Kong has undergone profound transformations since then, certain enduring aspects, reflecting deep cultural traits, persist in the city’s essence - its bustling streets, luminous lights, the constant movement of people, shops brimming with goods, the dense aroma of the river, and the ubiquitous rain.
This collection of pictures is about my experience of Hong Kong in June 2018: a blend of modernity and tradition, a sprawling metropolis spanning several islands at the southern tip of Guangdong province, China.
For newcomers like myself, Hong Kong often serves as a gateway to mainland China, an intersection of cultures and experiences. I went there for the yearly conference of the International Society for Quality of Life (ISQOLS). During my time there, I embarked on a photographic exploration that resulted in approximately 1000 captured moments. Unaware of Fan Ho’s influence at the time, I traversed the streets of Hong Kong day and night, endeavoring to immortalize various facets of the city—its rhythmic rainfall, tranquil temples, engaged inhabitants, diverse culinary scenes, and distinctive lifestyles. This photographic endeavor assumes the character of a socio-ethnographic narrative through the lens, offering glimpses into the city’s dynamic tapestry.
What lends significance to this collection is the exclusive use of Lensbaby optics, specifically the Sweet 35 or the 50mm double glass (the exact lens eludes my memory). While the tool is not an end in itself, these lenses serve as conduits to portray the city’s essence. These optics provide very dynamic bokeh which, in a city full of lights, become incredibly rich and colorful. Moreover, the pronounced out-of-focus areas allow to momentarily suspend the pace of the city for the time of a click.
Here unfolds the story of my experience on the animated streets of Hong Kong, where people, lights, and costumes merged into a dynamic tapestry, on that June 2018.
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