GX GARNERINGS

 (Ricoh GR) In their own unique style, the squatting Mainland Chinese tourists have become an eyesore a common sight in the usually narrow walkways around the more busy areas in Hong Kong since the r eturn of Hong Kong's sovereignty to China (Editor-in-chief's note: Officially banned phrase for political incorrectness) Chinese Communist Party resumed sovereignty over the city. Hordes of  the likes are too generous in their estimation of either the width of the sidewalks or the number of people passing by them, so stretching out an array of luggage cases in a disarray fashion for making rearrangement or taking a recess never seems to be too unedifying a bother to them. No location can dampen their determination in doing so, not even if it is right at a shop front, which is a somehow laudable national quality potentially in a positive way. Well, there are always two sides of a coin. Through the artistic eye of a photographer, can't these scenes be reproduc...

(Sony A99 with Minolta 50mm f/1.7) To street shooters, the Mongkok pedestrian precinct is sort of what water is to fish.  They will love it for the place epitomises the essential opportunities that could present themselves to make shooters into street photography feel just right.  This is as true as it goes for those who haven't been to maybe New York. I haven't been to New York yet.  But Hong Kong is more than good enough. If you wonder what the three Chinese characters in the foreground mean, it is a sexist derogatory expression against women which however is mostly used as a blessing in a joking way.  Literally, it reads, "beg you to bring me into the fold and keep me" or otherwise, "please make me your mistress".  Yes, a blessing in a cheeky sense: be a mistress, have everything paid for and be happily worry-free ever after. Get your camera out and train your eye for any interesting scene that may emerge around the corner. I will be surprised i...

(All images taken with Sony A99 fitted with a Minolta 50mm/ f 1.7) The 50mm lens always holds a special place in my heart for it was the focal length with which I started photography.  This Minolta 50mm beauty is the first lens in my armory and especially turns me on.  I am glad that my new addition of the A99 gives a new lease of life to it which has otherwise been used with a crop-sensor camera. Without much of a convincing argument but purely by convention, the 50mm has long been considered a normal focal length.  It gives a field of vision which, as most old-school photographers have been taught to think, resembles how the human eyes see the world (no wonder most cameras came with a "kit" 50mm lens in the old days).  Undoubtedly, this claim doesn't hold up to any serious scrutiny.  You may as well fit almost just any lens on a camera and zoom with your feet.  The claim will become very pale and not be worthy of an argument.  I would rather...

(Leica X1) If the camera industry and in fact the whole photographic community had been all the trees in the garden, what could be the photographers’ perennial doubt as the nourishment other than the constant wondering of when the non-existent best camera would be here on earth?  Notwithstanding the lack of preciseness in the question asked, the doubt itself is the fuel that has kept the history of photography going in a big way. So to contribute to the course of that history, and hence the development of humanity, I have recently been wondering if it is high time for me to make a proper upgrade to hopefully the Leica system. (Ricoh GR) The Ricoh system was my first sortie into the digital photographic era as I evolved from what the quantum leap in digital photography has made it seemed the medieval film period.  I still keep the the historical relic, the Minolta Dynax 7 (film) for its sentimental value to me though.  Kudos to the Ricoh GX200 designed with photographe...

(Ricoh GR) SoHo of Hong Kong got its name from south of Hollywood Road, which is the area strewn with swanky bars, restaurants, boutiques in a mix with some very old, traditional Cantonese shops.  The last decades have seen lots of art galleries springing up in the area, taking advantage of the absence of specific taxation regime for art sale in Hong Kong, to earn easy money from the veracious Chinese buyers.  The area is more known for its nightlife but I definitely recommend a walk in daytime to get a taste of the exotic east-meet-west mix.  Most Chinese shops and restaurants close in the evening.

(Ricoh GR) I’ve found myself constantly slowing down among the daily busyness to enjoy more of everything around as I approach the slide-down section of the backslope from the timeline of age.  I’m taking everything more easy.  It’s the quality of life that matters after all.  It’s less about material stuff than the spiritual fulfillment.  Probably this newfound philosophy in me has found its way to the hobby part of my life.  Yes, it’s nice to have a new camera with functions that blow one’s mind.  One that allows the sharp images to ravish your eyes, when the elements are right and the there is good light.  But at the end of the day, it is still the image that matters.  It is still how the photographic eye interprets a scene all right that makes the image click. So it’s still me carrying my camera everyday to try my luck around each corner where a photo worthy opportunity may present itself.  My 5-year-old a55, 4-year-old Leica X1 and 2-y...

(Leica X1) This afternoon I ran into a young man carrying a Leica with a friendly countenance apparently showing his passion for photography.  The Leica was mounted with a Voigtländer lens, if I was not mistaken.  Nice choice.  Just because those state-of-the-art cameras offers tons of features, doesn’t necessary mean that the owner will be happier.  In fact, as far as I know what the psychology theory suggests, more options oblige us to work our brain harder lest we may miss the good stuff which can make us less happy.  On the contrary, simplicity allows us to enjoy ourselves more.  With a Leica, the shooter just needs to focus on the basic scheme of taking a good photo.  And that is all.  I had a little chat with the young man and just two years into photography he has acquired a sophisticated, expensive taste.  Though with 20 years in the hobby under my belt, maybe I can learn a lot from him.  One never knows. We all can move on to p...

Here are the shots some minutes ago to prove that I'm still doing photography a lot.  All shots by GR. Enjoy!

(Ricoh GR) A lively sitting posture.  Enjoy!

(Ricoh GR) The scene presented itself when I walked past this sitting out area around a corner.  How the light fell on the folk and his newspaper caught my eye and snap snap snap the camera shutter went.  I have been taking photos daily still, and am brewing an idea for a project to enter into a photo contest.  This Saturday I will be attending a prize presentation ceremony for finalists of a photo contest held by a local radio station.  It feels good to put some value in the efforts I’ve been making as a hobby. Don’t stop taking photos, mates.

(Ricoh GR) Will you manage to find the face? Tip: It is not in the shade.

(Ricoh GR) I am with a local photography group but I haven’t really taken part in its shootouts. Recently the members had a street photography meetup and there were some nice shots. What I found interesting was how some used intimidating, at least that’s what I think, big DSLRs for shooting on the street. Those cameras are the least ideal for shooting candid images. And the zoom lens mounted on them would do nothing but make the photographers feel little need to go into where the action happens for the images, which is the gist of making street shots tick. For that reason, if you do street photography, use a compact and a prime lens.

(Ricoh GR) One of the most common online images is of people walking in the street, which are so ubiquitous to the point of being monotonous. There is one dumb-proven technique in making one such shot that may stand out. It is shooting a scene where people are going in different directions. This always works. Enjoy!

(Ricoh GR) I have been slacking off a bit posting here but not for shooting. Bringing along my camera remains a daily must. This has become so built-in that I will feel very insecure without it when being away from home lest a previous photography opportunity will present itself around the next corner. My GR mounted with the converter gives me even greater stealth in making candid shots in the street coz the converter screens the protruded lens when turned on. The customisable slots are set with a variety of stylistic modes. I named them like Underground, Street, Light Painting, etc. What a fun camera!

(Ricoh GR) The locals are gradually returning to their normal lives after the Chinese New Year week. Since it is based on the lunar calender, the Chinese New Year day falls on different days between end January and end February each year. Besides the usual celebrations, lots of protesting have been going on during the week this year as the influx of Mainland Chinese buying out necessities has caused an outcry from the community.  They come over to Hong Kong to snap up items from staple food to dog food. Worst of all, their bad habits and manners like here and here are what frustrate the locals most. CNN has recently reported on the issue here . What do you think?

(Ricoh GR) I trust that you have read a lot about composition. After all, there is no lacking of self-confessed “experts” teaching photographic skills on the Internet.  But those teachings are mostly telling you how composition is done for composition’s sake. I honestly don’t buy that idea since there is a reason for a specific composition.  I seldom read any writing about interpreting composition in relation to the intent of the photographer, say, to complement the intended atmosphere.  Let me put it this way: Composition is a tool to use for a purpose, but not a tool to use for showing people that you know that tool.

(Ricoh GR) Enjoy!

(Ricoh GR) Enjoy!

(Ricoh GR) Sometimes, a blurry image suits the atmosphere better.

(Ricoh GR) Don’t smoke.