(Camera: Ricoh GXR A12 28mm)The chance to come across a person here without a camera in hand on the street is few and far between, especially because Hong Kong's December is the best time for street photography in a year. The whole city is heavily decorated and coloured at night.
With the widespread ownership of cameras, everyone seems to be photographing whatever can be photographed in whichever imaginable ways. Our senses may be so numbed that a great photo becomes no wonder anymore. The growing culture of buying expensive cameras to shot the most routine of subjects robs cameras of their full potentials. This is very regrettable in the eye of photography lovers. On the other hand, serious photographers are trying hard to refrain from producing images of commonplace subjects and themes. The idea of photographing novel subjects has burgeoned. But is this the right course to pursue without any regret later?
Striving to be different is admirable and should be encouraged. But although camera technologies are evolving in quantum leaps -- we are seeing more advanced cameras in shorter cycles -- the world is unfolding itself at a constant pace. That is to say, to the common folks, there are not many novel subjects to be photographed.
So, before you may dissipate your energy by going too far into the dead end, change course! The more practicable way to strive to be different is in terms of how you advance your perspectives, thinking and photographic skills in reproducing the even most commonplace subjects and themes.
Today's photo was taken at the beautiful Hong Kong Park. While everyone was shooting the scenery before their eyes, the author turned back on the bench and discovered this intriguing scene through an opening in the bushes -- the reflections on the lake framed by the plants and branches. The white balance is tweaked to add on a greenish tint before the shutter release was fully pressed. The subjects are commonplace, but the final image is hopefully less so, if not more interesting.
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