The streets of Hong Kong
People have been asking me to show more of my work for a while now. I don’t usually like to do so for a couple of reasons that I will go into later, but I thought I would show you some of the stuff I have been working on lately.
I mentioned that I don’t really show my work all that much and this is for a couple of reasons. The first being that I am quite private about what I shoot and I tend to take a long time to go through images before I am really happy. I find it very hard to share my images with people as I tend to be quite quiet about what I do for my personal work.
The other reason is that I consider JapanCameraHunter a vehicle for other people to show and share their work and I never really wanted to use it as a method of self promotion for my photography. But the reason why I have decided to share some of my shots with you all is because a lot of people have been asking me to do so.
Hong Kong is a place that I love to visit and love to shoot. The city is so vibrant and there are so many places to go and shoot that it almost becomes a challenge to know what you want to shoot. I have started visiting Hong Kong a lot more lately because of my work and I like to take the opportunity to shoot when I am there.
Hong Kong is a lot different to shoot in from Tokyo. I like detritus and darkness, shadows and noise, so for me the backstreets and markets of Hong Kong give me the things that I want.
I don’t have a particular project that I am working on with regards to the streets of Hong Kong. I like to walk and see and learn about the city. I like to get lost and see where I come out. Tokyo does not have this attraction for me at them moment, maybe because of familiarity of the setting.
Hong Kong seems so much more raw than other cities in Asia that I have visited. Yet it has the structure and systems that some of the other places I have visited may be lacking. I think it is this balance that makes it so appealing for me to shoot.
I think there is also something about the pirate port aspect of Hong Kong, the history of this place is one that is one that is fascinating to me, especially seeing as being a Brit, our countries histories are intimately entwined.
I find Hong Kong to be a place of great contrast, with poverty and wealth side by side. There are so many places to visit, I feel like I have barely scratched the surface.
I will be going back there again soon, I have plans to spend a week shooting there in the new year. I hope that I will be able to build on the work I have been doing there and come up with a complete set that I am happy with. This really is a work in progress for me.
I hope that you can see some of my character and feelings in the images. I appreciate comments and welcome critique (as long as constructive).
Thanks
Japancamerahunter
Nice work. I was with you when you took some of those.
You most certainly were. I hope you will be with me when I take the next lot in Jan.
The parts of Honkg Kong I found most interesting for photographing were the small back streets littered with noodle bars and interesting faces, your third picture down captures this atmosphere nicely.
hey, great to see these images. I can understand your reasons, but then we miss out.
There’s a definite calmness to the images. Even the birds in flight.
Have a trip to Hong Kong planned in january, can’t wait! Very inspiring Bellamy.
Interesting insight to THE camera guy. One day we may have a conversation about a camera. Agree re: the calmness as mentioned above, something you don’t see in many of the shooters you feature. To date only one visit to HK, about 6 years ago (pre-photo interest), your photos/text making me think another visit is in order (with intent!)
Heya.. it was a good idea to share your shots, i like them very mutch :), and also thanks for the great work you do with the site , its always like birthday if i can have a look in others bags :D
Nice work you have, in the best tradition of leica street shooting. I specially like the birds and big building. There is Poetry there…
I have to agree with Jukka, my fellow Leica shooter from Finland.
Good thing you showed us your work, it’s certainly a different take on Hong Kong compared to those I have seen so far. Keep shooting JCH!
Excellent set of images . It’s too bad that you don’t share your work more often, it’s really inspiring.
I really like these! I have wanted to go to Hong Kong on a photo trip for sometime now, but hear its quite expensive..!
Good to see your work… and I like the mood of this series. The third shot from the top is superb!
Great series. You should share more… I love Hong Kong. I used to travel there all the time in my last job. Now not so much.
These are stunning and together make a strong set of images. I like the second one that really captures bring a stranger in a strange town. The last one too, all this crazy detail and clutter that contributes to frame the subject.
Thanks for sharing!
Nice work Bellamy and it’s good to see you share your images too.
I’ve shot a lot in China (although not for a long time in HK) – your shots look really familiar.
Hong Kong is a great place to walk around in (as it’s not actually that spread out, in terms of area) and its back alleys and side streets are great for those who like a bit of, as you say, darkness and grunginess. Have you seen any of the ‘snake restaurants’? Quite a sight.
These kinds of places are becoming more rare as China ‘develops’ and it erases such raw, genuine spaces. That’s why it’s all the more important to photograph them while they exist…who knows when they’ll be gone.
I really like the one with old men sitting and one standing.
I feel like they have questions in their mind about this dude taking pictures, but either they’re too comfortable enjoying the day, or their mind is too busy, or they’re too lazy to think or absorb new information. So they just gaze upon the shooter. Nice, real nice.
If you like the darkness and detritus, I suspect you’d like Taipei. Have you been?
I really like them all. The second one is my favourite – very Cartier-Bresson like.
Cheers
That’s one thing I really like about Hong Kong: there are so many different settings that are often side by side. You get the old Chinese structures, colonial buildings, modern architecture. And when you start to add the different types of people in these places, it just throws up a very unique sceneries for street shooting.
And yes, I’ll be very interested to see more of your photos, Bellamy. ;)