If you are looking for glamour and fashion in the streets, Hong Kong is not the place to go. All you have is basically millions of merchants and shoppers doing their best not to stand out from the crowd. Nevertheless, the younger generations seem to slowly break this trend and some interesting outfits can be found in some areas of town. Now whether one likes it or not is a question of personal taste, so I'll let you come up with your own assessment. (click on pictures for high res)
When the sun goes down in Hong Kong, thousands neons light up to perpetuate the endless day. The city seems to never sleep and nights are as frantic as days. (click on pictures for high res)
All pictures taken with Leica M8 and 35mm Lux Asph
Located 60 kilometers away from Hong Kong, the ex Portuguese colony is reached by a high speed ferry in an hour. Once a bad reputation town famous for drugs, gambling, and prostitutes, Macao is now a prosperous city gaining territory every years over the sea. It is quite an amazing view to see the Portuguese style old town with the Casinos and high rises in the background. Luxury items stores have replaced the trades of old times and thousands crowd the main street renovated in a Disneyland style. Very few will eventually wander off the beaten trails but once you do, you can feel again the atmosphere of Macao under Portuguese rule. Senorial houses with azulejos and narrow streets leading to dark back courts. You wouldn't even be surprised if the doors of a Opium house opened suddenly on your way. You also realize that the recent prosperity of Macao has not blessed all its citizens and full neighourhoods look like they are about to crumble. They'll probably be replaced at some point by a new Casino resort, replicating another European city (and its sky) in a similar fashion as the gigantic "The Venetian".
And by the way, Macao already generates 4 times more income than Las Vegas through its Casinos. Can you imagine 10 years from now ? (click on pictures for high res)
All pictures taken with Leica M8 and 35mm Lux Asph
I met a great group of photographers yesterday and we went for a quick outing and lunch around Central District. While wandering through the streets of this older part of town, you really feel like at a crossroad between Asia, Europe and America. The types of scene you encounter completely changes from one street to the other.
Thank you Norman, Edison, Kah and Victor for the meeting. We had a lot of fun. (click on pictures for high res)
All pictures taken with Leica M8 and 35mm Lux Asph
Series taken on the piers of Tsim Sha Tsui. (click on pictures for high res)
All pictures taken with Leica M8 and 35mm Summilux Asph.
Hong Kong is probably the biggest market on earth. Millions of tourists head there to buy electronics, jewerly or clothing. Yet, some more traditional markets still exist such as the Gold-fish or Jade markets. Each is a different world, full of mysteries and great characters. (click on pictures for high res)
All pictures taken with Leica M8 and 35mm Lux Asph