GX GARNERINGS

(Leica X1) Today’s shot is to visually illustrate how disturbing it is to witness the way of life in Hong Kong being eroded and forced to fit more into the Mainland norms. The changes come in a small way, bit by bit over a period of 15 years since 1997. The case of Hong Kong is that when every of these changes manifests itself, it is too late to right the wrong. The most recent case in point is the self-censorship in Hong Kong’s only English broadsheet newspaper, the South China Morning Post. It used to be a bulwark defending the freedom of the press, giving readers the whole picture of the news stories, notably China's stories. Under the stewardship of the agent of its new owner who has a close tie with China, the newspaper is giving away even its credibility. The following articles giving insights into the facts was written by its former award-winning reporter for the China section, Paul Mooney. ---------- Self-censorship in SCMP Paul Mooney On April 22, Wang Xiangwei, the ne

(Leica D-Lux 5) Could this angle speak of how increasingly so the local government is in treating public opinions since the handover of sovereignty? Which is looking down upon the people. And could the painting (showing Tang, once the Chief Executive hopeful but defeated over a scandal of having an illegal 2,000 square feet basement at home) reveals how increasingly so the public is in their opinion about the government? Which is to shut out the nonsense.   While the outgoing Chief Executive Donald Tsang has been bitterly bombarded for his extravagant spending of public money for his stays in luxurious presidential suites during official visits and receipt of preferential treatments from tycoons who hold interests in government projects, the incoming CY Leung has been elusive about the illegal structures in his huge residential premises which pose questions on what remains of his little credibility. Leung made use of Tang's illegal structure scandal to attack him during the C

(Leica X1) Is it just luck or the observant eye that affords the photographer the chance to end up with today's shot? Probably both, I'd say. I actually walked past the clock but in the next second my mind was visualising a similar final image. So back a few steps I was standing on a ramp, holding up my camera and waiting until this man ran towards the clock. "Click" went the camera. The X1 was said to have its clicking sound recorded from the old mechanical Leica, which is interestingly a draw for the photographer to use it. That's a kind of fetish for sure.

(Leica X1) I came up with the shot of today in reply to the first shot displayed in the UK street photographer Iesha's recent post . If you're new to street photography and have done lots of shots of people's back, here are the lamest tips of the year from me on how to snap shots with people looking right into the lens: 1) choose a scene, wait for people passing by or walking towards you and then hold up your camera to shoot all of a sudden. Snap fast. Curiosity will cause one or two to look at you for a split of a second; or 2) In relation to (1), you can do so while on the move; or 3) whether on the move or being stationary, hold up your camera to frame a shot without pressing the shutter release, and snap the shot only when the right person looks into the lens; or 4) go up to your subject and ask for permission to shoot. Put on a friendly grin and don't try to look cool. Try this. Big fun you will enjoy!

(Leica X1) There is a piece by an anonymous telling of a story of a horseman reining his horse at the sight of a bearded old man waiting for a ride across the river in a bitterly cold evening. The horseman gave the old man a ride and, when nearing the old man's hut, was caused by curiosity to inquire why he had let several preceding horsemen pass by. The old man replied that from their eyes those horsemen showed no concern for his situation. It would have been no use asking them for help.  But as he looked into the eyes of that last horseman, kindness and compassion were evident. the old man knew then that his gentle spirit would welcome an opportunity to give assistance. The horseman was Thomas Jefferson. Compassion is in the eyes. The mother's gaze in today's shot may be a footnote to the statement. Even though the image is a bit shaky (but I seriously doubt the artistic significance of the notion of sharp images) and one of the lady's eye is hidden behind the ha

(Sony A55) Maybe smart phone is among those things which are good but should not be invented in the first place? I had said it once before.

(Sony A55) This is Sunday. Dress up and be seen.