kaleidoscopic DOORWAY

Stumbled across this beauty whilst exploring the alleyways of Yau Ma Tei was immediately struck by its kaleidoscope of colour, texture and social commentary.

The daylight was just fading from the day… this doorway using it’s traditional red fluorescent light to advertising “massage services”, the glow of the flourescent lighting used in the corridor gets colder (bluer) as one traverses the space towards the stairs, creating a delicious & full spectrum. The surface of the walls adding a multi layered textural element.

Part of Hong Kong’s image is intertwined with these vibrant neon soaked colour palettes giving these traditional services that cinematic futuristic dystopian bent that have given the world motifs seen in such films as “Blade Runner” and Wong Kar Wai’s classic “in the mood for love”. These romanticised scenes are a thin veneer to the actual realities/hardships of the communities living in this guilded cityscape. Giving space to the viewer to insert their own backstories to the scene prompted by the initial awareness of the potential services on offer.

SHAM SHUI PO RENAISSANCE

The vibrant neighbourhood of Sham Shui Po has always be a target for my wanderings with its multicultural streets illustrating the diversity of population that gives supercharged fuel to the engine room that is Hong Kong.

Looking to capture the scene of the quintessential & traditional domestic goods store that are found across Hong Kong’s heritage districts, the shop that literally sells everything from rat traps to dim sum baskets. The cacophony of goods make for a riot of texture & Colour on display, the upper floors judging by the amount of air conditioning units must be subdivided units aka “coffin homes” the patina of the exterior paint shows decades of heat and sun exposure.

The people in the shot lead the viewer to wonder what the non verbal interactions are, from the gas delivery man’s eye contact with the spectator bottom left, to the quaffed group of men preparing coals for a shisha pipe, the eye of the viewer being lead to very back of the shop where more pockets of trading is in full swing.

The colours were simplified to become a more duotone image triggering those romantic vibrant neon city vibes and to reduce the noise of colours within the original image. This treatment focuses the eye on the hero of the scene the front of the traditional home goods shop.

FORTUNE TELLER

One of many of the shots taken of this traditionally provided service, fortune tellers have a heritage of thousands of years within southern China.

IMPRESSIONISTIC WINDOW

With the condensation streaming down the windows of this Chinese Restaurant (am assuming its a Hot Pot place) gives the diners and contents of the interior a painterly abstract impressionistic rendering.

MIDO CAFE

OFFAL Man

One of Hong Kong's best loved local food "offal Noodles" this will trigger your Hong Kong food memories leaving you wanting for a steaming hot bowl of this delight.

Traditional ShoE Repair

This cobbler has been providing these services in the particular spot for decades.

HK$8,888

PORTRAIT oF BICYCLE Man

This enigmatic portrait of one my favourite Hong Kong tradesmen, this time imbued with a futuristic colour palette.

Lemon Tea DELIVERY

One of Hong Kong's best loved beverages the mighty lemon tea. here seen being delivered in one of Mong Kok's busiest districts

MONSOON LION ROCK

Shot during one of the larger tropical storms of 2021 "Monsoon Lion Rock" has all the Hong Kong flavours one could need in an rain soaked image that celebrates Hong Kong cinematic streets. From the Mini bus to the Bamboo scaffolding, the rain, the neon, the pawn shop even the advertising on the bus offering "tax help", right down to the small sign on the wall "you can pawn your mobile phone here".

CHEUNG CHau BICYCLE

One the tiny side streets coming off Wing On Street on Cheung Chau island. There are no cars on this island so the inhabitants traverse the streets on bicycles.

TUTTI FRUITY TOWERS

The towers presented and colour spectrum that could not be ignored, enhanced digitally to get a full Hong Kong vibrant spectrum of colours.

BICYCLE Man

This enterprising Hong Konger captured in front of his shop, one can immediately see the toil and perseverance of this man, he was working through a monsoon at this particular time. Please note the chaos of the shop, the bridcage, the medicated plaster on his shoulder not to mention, his body hewn from decades of hard work.

WANCHAI TEENS

This explosion of graffitti underneath and over the top of this Neon sign depicting the chinese character for "boom" found in the bar district of Hong Kong, Wanchai.

GAMBLIN MAN

Neon hotel

TRAM STOP