GX GARNERINGS

A make-shift shrine clinging around one of the oldest trees on Cheung Chau Probably like any other small islands in and out of Hong Kong (recently very interested in this isle ), Cheung Chau is filled with anything but hassles.  This statement proves to be absolutely true as I strolled around the island in the morning. The residents seemed to go on their morning excursions for whatever errands at half the walking pace of the city people.  No traffic noise could be heard but the bikers dinging the bells and birds chirping on the balconies.  It was so quite that some barely audible chit-chatting wafted to my ears from afar.  I moved along what was left for the lane I was in before it ended at a turn to the left, joining to the middle of another lane. I entered another lane to find a man on the ground floor talking to an old lady who was on the balcony on the first floor.  They were having a discussion of a very important matter to the stomach: where to hav...

A poster and a T-shirt depicting one of the celebration activities on the Cheung Chau Bun Festival today: the Piu Sik parade.  The big characters say, Peaceful. After having been to Cheung Chau for so many times, I still find it surprising on every new visit.  The explanation may lie in the stark contrast of it to the urban areas in every noticeable way.  The community is more closely bonded together as everyone seems to know others he or she runs into on the street which can be told from their friendly greetings. A typical lane on Cheung Chau Oh, I shouldn't say "street".  "Lane" is the proper word for what crisscrossing the island is a labyrinth of narrow lanes where every sort of daily activities take place.  This I think is one of the main source of Cheung Chau's exoticism that delights the visitors. The Cheung Chau community is probably as old as human activities were recorded in Hong Kong.  For example, the Bu...

Samsung released its EX1/TL500 in Hong Kong two days ago. Here is the press release revealing some nitty-gritty of it. (18th May 2010, Hong Kong) Samsung Electronics, a leading brand in consumer electronics and information technology, today announced the launch of a series new digital camera, among which is Samsung EX1 -- the world's first F1.8 compact digital camera which supports full manual control. The new Samsung EX1 is equipped with the outstanding F1.8 Schneider Lens and 1/1.7-inch 10 mega-pixel CCD, which is definitely a breakthrough in the market of digital imaging. Mr. Alex Chung, Director of the Consumer Electronics Team of Samsung Electronics Hong Kong Co. Ltd, commented, "The new Samsung EX1 digital camera has marked a new milestone for digital imaging technology. Besides the industry-leading F1.8 lens, EX1 also stresses the importance of the operating experience, which devotes for delivering prosumer shooting experience to the users with a compact digital came...

Curious?  The Googlish versions are here and here .

The bow of a boat is sacred.  Don't step on it or prepared to be cursed. Cheung Chau is one of Hong Kong's several hundreds of islands. As its name suggested, literally "Long Island", it comprises of two vegetated headland connected by a long strip of sandy beaches and land.  Most of its activities are conducted on that long strip. It is a marine cultivators' community made up by a handsome amount of the remaining fishermen in Hong Kong. So when the ferry approaches it through the opening of the bluestone breakwater, the first things heaving into sight are the fishing boats of different sizes and sorts dotting the bay.   Playing mahjong during the leisure hours. I took the NX10 to Cheung Chau to spend a few days there.  If I am to recommend one island for a photographic trip to Hong Kong, this island is certainly the answer.   A walla-walla Despite the island is far from big, it has quite a number of attractions which are accessible by walk...

When I first learned photography, in many of the photography books I read revealed the secret of an effective jump-start – learning from the masters.  The world renowned National Geographic photographers are some of the great contemporary masters. There are many more great photos you can learn from on NG's website.  A webpage I recommend is here where the photographer comments on the best photos he picked.  A great way to boast our photographic skills.

Give me a map and a compass instead. This is Sunday, a rest day to reorient ourselves for the next chaotic working week.