Why Hong Kong Appears So Often in My Work
Many people notice how often Hong Kong shows up in my photographs and ask why. It’s not because I planned it that way. It’s because the city has become part of my life. For three years, I traveled from Shenzhen almost every weekend, and even though I now live in Spain, I return whenever I can. My wife is originally from Hong Kong, part of my family is still there, and I go back every year. Each visit feels familiar, emotional, and grounding, like stepping back into a rhythm my body never forgot. Meeting her there made many of these memories even more special.
This blog isn’t about photography as a profession. It’s about connection. It’s about why this city continues to shape how I see the world.
A City That Feels Like Home
Hong Kong was never just a place I visited. It became a second home in the sense that it shaped my experiences, my perspective, and my memories. Old and new sit side by side naturally. Tradition lives next to constant change, and people move forward without erasing the past. That layering is something I feel deeply, and it continues to pull me back.
Even now, the city keeps evolving, and so does my relationship with it. Each visit reveals something new yet emotionally familiar. I look forward to my next trip, always eager to discover more of the city that inspires me.
Nightfall and the Layers of Light
Night is when Hong Kong truly amazes me. When the city slows just enough for you to notice it.
From above, especially during night hikes to The Peak, I love taking photos of the city stretching endlessly below. The skyline feels almost unreal, like a living organism made of light, movement, and energy. These hikes are one of the reasons I have such a rich collection of Hong Kong night shots.
Those layers of light always fascinate me. Neon signs overlap windows, reflections bounce off glass and metal, colors bleed into each other. It’s chaotic and beautiful at the same time, never staged. Every night looks slightly different.
Familiar Places, Personal Rituals
Mong Kok and the Red Minibus
Mong Kok brings a very different kind of memory. I still remember taking the red minibus—the speed, the chaos, and the anxious moment when I had to shout to the driver to get off. I was never sure if I was loud enough, so most of the time I waited for someone else to shout and jumped off nearby. That mix of panic, trust, and urban energy feels uniquely Hong Kong.
Tram Rides and Market Life
I also love spending time on the trams, I usually got on the tram in Central and rode to Quarry Bay or Happy Valley. Watching people get on and off, the ebb and flow of daily life, and spending entire afternoons riding slowly through the city. It’s a rhythm I could never tire of. I enjoy seeing people work in the local markets, selling vegetables and other products, especially in Chai Wan and North Point, where the wet markets feel alive and authentic. Quarry Bay always draws me for its mix of buildings and market scenes that capture the city’s energy perfectly.
Everyday Life and the Ladies’ Market
Some of my strongest memories come from immersing myself in the city’s everyday life. I remember bargaining at the Ladies’ Market without speaking Cantonese, mixing English and gestures in a half-confident, half-awkward way. My local friends laughed, embarrassed on my behalf—they would never bargain themselves—but I kept at it. Those small, imperfect moments, full of humor and connection, made me feel truly part of the city, even as a visitor.
Estates and Morning Markets
I also love walking through Choi Hung Estate. The colors, the design, and the quiet rhythms of daily life are mesmerizing, showing the beauty in Hong Kong’s ordinary places. Other experiences stand out too: waking up early to watch the fruit market in Yau Ma Tei, discovering quiet alleys tucked between skyscrapers, enjoying a bowl of wonton noodles in a small dai pai dong, or watching street performers in unexpected corners. Each of these moments adds a layer to my connection with Hong Kong, making every visit feel fresh and alive.
Everyday Life Before the City Wakes Up
Some mornings, I wake up early to go to Yau Ma Tei. The fruit market is already alive while the rest of the city is still half asleep. Workers unload boxes, shout instructions, move quickly and efficiently. There’s no performance, no intention to impress. Just people doing their jobs before most of the city even notices.
These quiet hours show another side of Hong Kong. One that feels honest and grounded. It reminds me that behind the lights and density, the city runs on routine, effort, and human connection.
Movement, Rain, and In-Between Spaces
I love footbridges. Standing above traffic, watching cars move below, I feel calm. The city flows beneath you, unstoppable and rhythmic.
Rain changes everything. Wet streets reflect street lamps and neon signs, turning the ground into mirrors. On rainy nights, Hong Kong feels like a completely different city. I feel free, alive, and present. Those moments don’t happen every day, which makes them even more special. When it rains, I slow down and simply watch.
Finding Beauty in the Ordinary
I often walk through different housing estates, drawn to the rhythms of daily life. The repetition, routines, and subtle variations between buildings and neighborhoods reveal so much. Many estates have distinctive architectural designs, practical yet full of character.
These places show how people truly live. Not the postcard version of Hong Kong, but the everyday reality. That’s something I deeply respect and feel connected to.
Memories That Stay With Me
Over the years, I’ve captured many moments of Hong Kong’s life and energy. These images exist because I experienced the city week after week and wanted to remember these moments. The camera was simply present during times that felt worth capturing.
Hong Kong appears so often in my work because it’s part of who I am. Every time I go back, it still feels like home, and these experiences are reflected in my collection of prints.
