Daido Moriyama (森山大道)

About a year ago I chanced by this clip with a "Japanese Photographer" taking photos on the street. I didn't know who he was back then but this guy had opened up a whole new world of street photography for me. Since then I ran through Hong Kong taking candid photos of people very much like how this guy did in the clip. This became my style of photography.

When I get more deeply into photography, the more I read on this subject. This name Daido Moriyama (森山大道) comes up time and time again in articles, in forums or mentioned by other fellow Flickr users. I become interested in his work and search for his books and works via Google and on Amazon.com. Only then I suddenly remember this clip. Could it be Moriyama-san who was in that clip I watched so long ago when I started out on photography? But I loss the link to the clip.... and only after much searching I found the answer to my question. Indeed it was Moriyama-san! Now I know the name of the person who inspired me into "Street Photography".

Childhood footsteps

Shung Tak School
Originally uploaded by Kenny Lok

I must be getting old. Suddenly came up the idea of visiting the places I frequent in my childhood. The main building of my primary school was still where it had always been. Just that it had been taken by another school and the name has changed.

So was my secondary school. It had moved to a new location but the old campus was also taken by another school. In this case even the outlook of the school changed so much it didn't resemble what was in my memory.

Then I was pleasantly surprised by still able to find the building of satellite campus of my old primary school. The same name was still on the wall! Right next to that was my kindergarten, it had became a ruin.

It was a fun trip back tracking the childhood steps. I took lots of photos of course. Next time when I got around to do similar thing again, these places might be replaced by lots of new buildings already.

See the photos from this link.

Leslie Cheung's Memorial

April 1st apart from being Fool's Day is also one of Hong Kong's biggest star, Leslie Cheung's, memorial day.

I went to his memorial show outside of the Art Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui on that evening. Not really going on purpose but I happened to be in the area and I do like his songs, so I attended.

I was a little surprised by how much memory his songs bought back for me and my wife. We had a wonderful evening listening to these old songs which many of them I had sing for her in karaoke many years ago.


(Sandy Lam paying tribute to Leslie singing有心人 )



Never a "star-chaser" even in my youth. Leslie was not someone I particularly fond of when he first entered into his stardom in the 80's. I didn't even buy his records. It was only in the late 90's after his "second entrance" into the music scene and when he had came out from the closet that I started to like him and his music. I specifically mention about "came out from the closet" because after he had done that, I started to admire his courage and his "doesn't-care-what-others-think-of-him-and-just-do-what-he-likes" attitude. Always like that in a person. Besides, the style of his singing actually changed a lot from his early days and I particularly like the amount of emotion he put into his singing.

Even then I still didn't realize how big a star he was until one chance event when I went to his concert. I didn't mean that I didn't know how famous he was, I meant I didn't realize the "star-quality" that he possessed. One day, just any ordinary day, when my wife and I was kind of bored and wanted to search for any good shows around the town to kill time, we notice there was still seats in Leslie's concert so we just bought the tickets and went... rare spontaneous act when involving my wife (hehehe). That was a wonderful concert. I never see another artist when could control the mood of the audience the way he did. The whole stadium was under his spell that evening - he could make us dance, he could make us cry, he could make us scream and he could make us laugh... just the way he wanted it. That was a true star that I saw that evening on the stage. And that was the last time I saw him in person. That concert had became his last one although at that time no one had realized that.

Indigo Child 2009 Calendar

Indigo Child 2009 Calendar
Originally uploaded by Kenny Lok

I like the paintings by Carrie Chau - a Hong Kong designer/artist. The first time I came across her designs were outside of Time Square around last Christmas. There was displays of her designs in 3D form. At that time, the designs were "interesting" and different but didn't really strike any chord in me. After that, by chance, I ran into her shop and looked at other products she designed. And I liked it and even bought something - that's rare for me to buy something totally not useful.

Then I saw this calendar designed by her for Time Square on a friend's desk. Only then I realize its existence. Then I saw it again on another colleague's desk. The more I look at it, the more I wanted it. At the end, I open my mouth and asked my friend to get hold of one for me. Since his wife is in retail and knows the Time Square, I thought it should be easy for him to get one for me. At the end, he gave me his copy. Good guy! Well, I got what I wanted and I really like it.

I tried to think about what I really like in her paintings and designs. So far I still cannot put into words. The feeling is evasive. I guess it's just me not able to "rationalize" why I like something. Always I'd just say - "I like it, don't know the reasons and don't need reasons". But I really want to express myself and understand my own feeling this time. I have been too lazy and not to think deep into this. I still don't have the answer but I will certainly try. Hopefully I will be able to post my reasons on why I like these paintings later on this blog.

Got over 700 views a day on Flickr!

Wow! My photo stream today got over 700 hits and the number is still counting as the day has not ended yet. I'm very excited about this although such number should be nothing special considered Flickr has millions of users. Still I'm pretty proud of myself given I only started seriously into photography about 3 months ago. Forgive me for congratulating myself... hahaha

Abandon Bus Depot

Signal Light - L1
Originally uploaded by Kenny Lok

I said I would go back to that abandon bus depot last Tuesday - I did. And it was after two failed attempt during the week - one was stopped because of the rain and another time was because I saw two security guards in the area. I had to wait for Sunday morning to take these shots. Rare persistence for me!

Toy Maker

Toy Maker
Originally uploaded by Kenny Lok

Run into this old toy maker selling flour made figures in Causeway Bay again after we bought one from him more than one year ago. There is a mixed feeling about this encounter - first pity him on needing to work so hard when he is way pass retirement age, but then also glad that he is still in business. At least he has customers and can earn a living with his trade. Wife said likely most of his customers just buy from him with the intention of helping him out rather than really interested in his toy. She was probably right.

This picture was taken when he was taking his product tenderly one by one out from the white plastic container and into a tray. His motion was very slow which contrast with the busy people walking pass in fast steps only amplifies the sadness I felt. I just wish his business will be good.

Actually, his toy was pretty cool. This is the one I bought from him so long ago. Still looks very good!

One Photo a Day

Flowers on the Wall
Originally uploaded by Kenny Lok

I started a self imposed "One Photo a Day" project about a month ago in which I would take at least one photo each day and post it to Flickr (check out my 365 set there). Intention is to force myself to look around myself and not to loss the sense of wonder a child would have to everything surrounding us. It is easy for a grown up to take things for granted and become numb to this world.

So far, I am having lots of fun with this project. My skill improved and I become more observant (I think/hope so, haha). However, sometimes it leads to embarrassment too. Like today when I took these three photos in an abandon bus depot behind my office during lunch time. I was so focus on finding the right subject and best angle to shoot, I loss sight of anything else. Then I came back to reality when a colleague called me and jokingly ask me whether the company was consider buying the land with me doing the survey. So embarrassing! Well, I countered and said, "Yes, and your department will be the first to moved to this building".... hahaha

I quite like these 3 pictures that I took. Actually, I have not finished with that abandon depot. I will go back again as I see many photo opportunities in there.

Cooking

Few believes I can cook, fewer still have tried my cooking. Cooking was my way to relax, to put my mind off work and other worries. Just focus on making a nice meal and forget about anything else. Not anymore, now I have found photography.

Doesn't mean I forgot how to cook though. I cook these two dishes as my proof. Nothing complex but at least presentable...



... and that's a lot better than what I can say for majority of HK girls nowaday can do! hahaha

Inagiku 稻菊

Visited our favorite Japanese restaurant this Sat lunch. We started visiting this restaurant when it first came to Hong Kong around 7-8 years ago. At that time, the restaurant manager was still a Japanese seconded from their HQ. Can't say we frequent this restaurant as it is fairly high end and expensive. But whenever we felt the need to be generous to ourselves, it would be one of the few places we'd think of.

I must say the food quality is among the best, if not THE best Japanese food, in Hong Kong. Their lunch menu is very value for money - about half of what you'd pay for dinner. We especially love its sashimi although it's most famous for its tempura. Here are some pictures which I know very tempting for anyone who sees it.




And here is the link to its website. This is its Kowloon store, I heard the Hong Kong store above IFC has much better view but I never been there. For sentimental reasons, we always visit the Kowloon one.

A corner of my work desk

A corner of my work desk
Originally uploaded by Kenny Lok

Today is such a busy day (and have been so for couple of weeks already). I have been glue to the chair and pounding on my keyboard the whole day to catch up on deadlines. Starbuck coffee is the stimulate I had to rely on to keep me going. Since my work desk is almost the only thing I see for the whole day, it's only fitting to photograph it for my "Project 365" entry.

This is the only tidy corner of my desk. The rest is full of piles of files, paper and other junks. I am too embarrass to let them into the picture! Must spare some time to clean it or it will overflow!

Okay. Let's give it another go

Couple of years ago I tried to start a blog. Like many of the things I do, I am not persistent enough and the blog died. With this new found interest of photography and the "Project 365" that I started, I decided to give blogging another go. Hopefully it will be different this time.

As a teaser, let me post one of my favorite photos I took recently.



Hong Kong Victoria Harbor. World famous for its beauty and every one in Hong Kong should be proud of. With all the harbor reclamation projects that's going on around the harbor, I hope that its beauty won't fade within my life time.