2009 »

Photographer’s Tip: Remember What Inspires You

Photographer's Tip, Photography No Responses »

Mar 042013

To start, let me tell you a story…. An excerpt from my 2009 book – Hong Kong

October 2009. I woke up with an enthusiasm and childish spirit that I haven’t had in a long time. There was an excitement to the proceedings; showering as quick as possible, throwing clothes on in a hurry, checking camera batteries, memory, cleaning all the lenses and bringing every accessory to ensure that not a moment would be forgotten. My breakfast was devoured, my shoes were barely tied and I was already trying to make my way to the trains. For all of the MTR system’s efficiency and speed, today it just wasn’t fast enough. We made our way towards Central where we could pick up our park passes and boarded the appropriate shuttle. 15 minutes said the travel guide. More like 15 hours. Even in a crowded bus full of tourists, children and families, I put my spectacular line-avoiding skills on display. Disembarking with my camera bags acting as bumpers, I managed to squeeze my way out before anyone else could.

Presenting our passes at the front gates and making our way through the colorful entrance, I was reminded of the times at Disneyland with my dad. I grab the park map and quickly scan the list of attractions while taking in the ascending hot air balloons and colorful mascots. The cotton candy, hot dog, popcorn filled the air with a fun aroma, while the brightly colored performers, souvenir stalls all add to the experience and building excitement. As we made our way through the opening promenade, the habitat became visible. A few snaps with the cartoon statues and we were on our way up the ramps and through the lines. As we neared the entrance, I got the camera ready. Lots of memory? Check. High speed burst mode? Check. Fast lens? Check. Continuous focus? Check. We walked through the turnstiles and saw the first one. We walked up, he sat quietly eating his breakfast. I smiled, it was a fat teddy just 6ft away. I brought the camera up to my eye and pressed the button. That was it, I didn’t let go of that button for the next hour. Today was my birthday, and I got to see a panda.

Prior to the visit with the fat teddy bears, photography was purely about capturing what stepped in front of the lens. The first number of years was spent learning the technicalities and building the arsenal of toys and gadgets. Next, it was about finding subjects and practicing the theory until it became second nature. For the most part, the process was professional, robotic and simply targeted at delivering an image. Photographic passion was about mastering the technicalities, all the compositional rules and putting into play the numbers and settings against a real world setting.

I got to the top of the peaks in the Canadian Rockies, witnessed the beauty of countless sunrises and sunsets and had the opportunity to immortalize life events for friends and family. Through it all, emotion took a back seat to the drive to learn and understand how to control the camera. Finally the light bulb moment came when I was able to spend time with the fat teddy bears. The moment a much greater inspiration for being behind the camera makes itself known – the moment you become emotionally star struck at the subject you’re capturing. The Panda bears represent my lightbulb moment – when my photographic world shifted and it became more important to enjoy the moment you’re in and appreciate the special opportunities we have as photographers to experience and document the unique moments in the world.

This was one of those situations in life that let you focus on what makes your world valuable. From the life threatening moments while caught in the middle of a typhoon, the fun memories of being a kid walking through the gates of Disney or the quiet moments spent with a loved one watching a sunset, these moments form the foundation of our valued memories. The moments combine to define our trajectory and more importantly, they allow us to develop the experiences that we can be grateful for. A reminder of the adventures, trials and triumphs that I come across and those that I have the privilege of documenting for others.

Almost 4 years on, the wonder and happiness of that first Panda day is still a very vivid memory. I got the chance to make a return visit in June 2012. I had learned a lot about being behind the camera in those intervening years. I learned how to control my cameras better, the impact of lighting, the emotional impact of capturing the right moment and for the most part, I thought I knew everything I needed to in order to deliver a better technical image. I walked into the enclosure again – better gear, more experience and a swagger that I was going to get a spectacular image. Well, sometimes you just have to let yourself be a kid again. I smiled from ear to ear when I saw them again. I put my camera down, took a seat and simply enjoyed my time with them. I had an hour with the bears. I knew that I could get the photo, but I knew that since it would likely be my last visit, it was more important to simply enjoy the experience this time.

I was reminded that you should let yourself be a participant and not always a documentarian. I was reminded that you have to take the opportunities to enjoy what’s before you because you might not get another chance. And I was reminded that part of what makes being behind the camera so special is to enjoy and cherish the experiences that are unfolding in front of it. These are the images from that return trip. My reminder that no matter how far you’ve come and what you might know, there’s still something out there that will step in front of your camera that will make you stop, stare and remember that for all the negatives in the world, the challenges we face in our daily lives, the world can be a beautiful place.

panda01 panda02 panda03

How do you find your bike?

Photography, Travel No Responses »

Aug 172011

And how do you deal with a double park??!??!

Vintage Hong Kong

Architectural, Landscape, Travel No Responses »

Aug 082011

Well, not really. However, playing with some processing techniques gave me a very vintage look. I’ve always been intrigued to shoot and develop film, unfortunately the prohibitive cost and extremely large margin for error precludes me from doing so. We took over 14000 (yes thousand) pictures from Hong Kong over 2 years. I still go through the archives on a regular basis to find interesting, weird, strange, gems and candid captures. To this day the adventure lives vividly in the mind and reminds me of a non-stop adventure in a far yet familiar world. Here are some more new photos from the archives. For more on these wonderful adventures, check out the following;

Tian Tan – The Giant Seated Buddha

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

Hong Kong Tag – A Compilation of All The Adventures

These photos are meant to showcase the snapshots, daily life and hustle & bustle of the city. It will soon be time to go back and there’s a more than likely chance that we’re staying to finally explore the city we fell in love with as citizens instead of guests. Enjoy!

Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery

Photography, Travel No Responses »

Aug 052011

From “Hong Kong” by Francis Yap M.

October 2009. Sha Tin is a city in the new territories of Hong Kong. This bustling city lies far away from the neon and tourism of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Sha Tin also moves away from the cultural British influence that still permeates the popular Hong Kong. It is here we find another historic Buddhist retreat, the Ten Thousand Buddha’s Monastery. Buddhism remains the most dominant religion in Hong Kong with over 90 percent of the population as devout followers. Sitting perched on the hills overlooking Sha Tin sits the land granted to the Reverend Yuet Kai by a wealthy Hong Kong merchant. Yuet Kai was a Buddhist Monk who came to Hong Kong in 1933 and established a Buddhist college on the site. Beginning in 1949, Yuet Kai, with the help of his disciples began the construction of the Ten Thousand Buddha’s monastery. Personally carrying building materials from the foot of the mountain to the plateau, the complex was finally completed in 1957. Another ten years was required to complete the statutes that would line the pathway leading to the complex as well as the over 12 000 contained in the main hall.

Much like the journey to Tian Tan, Ten Thousand Buddha’s is a test of will and determination. Over 400 steeply raked steps ascend the mountain. The walkway is lined with over 500 unique arhats or disciples. Each one signifies a different expression to demonstrate the uniqueness of man. We were thankful for the cloudy sky, but the humidity was still winning the battle. Each step up the mountain drained your energy. Every seating bench encountered was a “photo opportunity”, otherwise known as sit down and catch your breath. The higher we got, the clearer the message – this was a site for the devoted, it was their will that built it and their devotion was required to climb it. Tian Tan was built with modern technology and designed for tourists as well as the pilgrims. Ten Thousand Buddha’s was a test of will. Reaching the main temple brought a relief that wasn’t present at Tian Tan. The sight of a small cafeteria stocked with cold drinks was worth the climb. After quickly downing a few bottles of water and juice, we began to make our way around the complex. The plateau houses the main hall, a nine-storey pagoda and a panoramic view of Sha Tin below.

Entering the main hall to pay our respects and give a donation, your eyes adjust to the dim light and the centerpiece of the complex becomes visible; over 12 800 statues of Buddha line the walls. Each statue is gilded in gold, showing Buddha in unique positions and giving a sense of continuity and movement within the main temple. Yuet Kai remains with his temple today. His preserved body is presented in the middle, sitting calmly in the lotus position. A person can’t come here and not be moved by the surroundings. There is an immeasurable respect that must be given to the efforts of those that built this complex and even more for the sacrifices they made of themselves in committing to such a project. The devotion and discipline they demonstrated is something that would be unparalleled in modern western life. It is in this realization that Ten Thousand Buddha’s Monastery comes into focus. Much like the thousands of representations of Buddha which line the walls, there are infinite possibilities for the attitudes of men, but there are even fewer that are willing to devote themselves so completely to a noble cause. Ten Thousand Buddha’s is both a temple of celebration and a testament to the power of will and the kindness of people who believe in a cause.

We wandered around the rest of the grounds and found even more treasures. A large stone Buddha was cut into the side of a hill, relaxing peacefully and enjoying the skyline. Finally, we arrived at the upper mount and came face to face with a platinum statue of Kwun Yam, the Goddess of Mercy. We rested here, enjoying the view of the temple complex and the city below us, quietly appreciating the legacy of a devoted man.

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Tian Tan – The Giant Sitting Buddha

Landscape, Photography, Portraiture, Travel 1 Response »

Aug 032011

Some of these photos were on the very old blog format but never carried over to this one while some are shots I’ve never released before. An absolutely wonderful escape and it was a splendid way to begin the 2008 Hong Kong Excursion. This is the complete collection of the Tian Tan Photos.

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From “Hong Kong” by Francis Yap M.

September 2008. In the hills of Lantau Island, west of metropolitan Hong Kong sits the imposing Tian Tan Buddha. I had seen many photos but had never made the pilgrimage myself. We travelled from the skyscrapers of Central Hong Kong to Mui Wo pier on Lantau Island by steam ferry. Upon arriving, the search for the bus to our next leg proved to be a long wait. 45 minute intervals and we’d just missed the last one. A little wandering around the pier and town area found a McDonalds, 7-11 and the largest parking lot of pedal bikes either one of us had ever set our sights on. Was this going to be a spiritual journey to a serene and calm monastery or was it going to be a tourist trap? Time went by, we lined up at the bus stop, the other tourists began to shuffle over and soon enough, our number came into view. A quick swipe of the Octopus cards and we took a seat at the front so as to best take in the scenery. Well that turned out to be a mistake.

The eager driver donned a pair of nomex driving gloves. The same pair I had at home, the difference being I used mine on a race track. Well, apparently he thought the winding mountain road was good practice for one. In a bus. A cliff to one side, the ocean on the other, 80km per hour without a bead of sweat (for him anyways). That 15 minute journey felt like an hour. An hour of clutching the hand rest and praying for my life. Thankfully, it came to an uneventful end as we rounded the final corner and glimpsed the Ngong Ping Village, the colorful rooftops of the Po Lin Monastery and finally, the first of 268 steps to the base of Tina Tan, the Giant Seated Buddha.

Nothing quite prepares you for the image. Even in the rising heat of the noon sun and thickness of the humidity, there exists a sudden calm and peace. Gone are the sounds of the tourists and buses around you. We simple stood there in awe and a quiet amazement at what stood high above us. He is the largest seated Buddha in the world at over 110ft and weighing in over 250 metric tons. Imposing, but at the same time calming. His right hand is raised representing the removal of affliction. The left rests with the palm facing up, a symbol of dhana, or generosity.

We ascended the steep steps to the summit. The incense altars along the way setting the stage for a peaceful and calm climb, building upon the initial feeling when we arrived. By the time we reached the perch of Buddha, we looked around, high above the surrounding hills and found a tranquility and silence. Ocean to the south, tall mountain ranges to the east and not a hint of the bustling metropolis just beyond them. Tian Tan derives its name from the lotus throne on which Buddha sits. It is finished in the same design as the temple of the Earthly Mount of Tian Tan in Beijing which the statue faces. Under the Buddha are three floors containing the Hall of the Universe, the Hall of Benevolent Merit and the Hall of Remembrance. It is claimed that some of the cremated remains of Buddha are located here. Surrounding the seated Buddha are six statues of other Gods, giving praise to Buddha.

We made our way down to Po Lin Monastery to pay our tributes and give our prayers of thanks. A quick ceremony at the incense bowl asking for health prosperity and good luck to top it all off. The odd monk seen wandering and quietly going about their business. We pay a final respect at the main temple and walk back towards Ngong Ping Village. Time was well spent for a quick lunch, a wander through the shops, and finally, a ride on the Ngong Ping 360 gondola back to the city.