Leader News & Updates

• By scott brooks (0)

• Winning photo selected

  Posted October 13, 2011

  I’ve chosen Ankur’s photo of the welder as the winning image from this year’s photo walk.

  With such a wide range of images that all had interesting subjects, careful framing and strong composition, there really wasn’t a way to logically choose a winning photograph. So, I went with my gut and chose the image that I returned to most often, and that was the Welder.

  I laughed the hardest at Carlos’ photo of the fat man with the fat man poster in the background; there’s something haunting about Michael’s photo of the man in the window; Sebastien’s panning shot of the BMW is extremely well executed; I love the smiley gumball in Margaret’s photo and the positioning of the frog in Kelvin’s framing, and Tim’s composition of the old man on the bench is brilliant.

  In the end, the bright flash of the arc welder, the lines leading toward the flash and the welder’s posture and concentration made for a compelling image that I just keep coming back to look at. Well done, Ankur! Congratulations.

• Final destination

  Posted September 30, 2011

  Thanks to Tim Tan we have a place to wrap up. Das Gute at the ground floor of Western Market. Map and address for Das Gute is here: http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=10398&mapType=1

• Weather is still improving

  Posted September 30, 2011

  The forecast for Saturday continues to improve – now only a few showers instead of occasional rain.
  If you want to keep track of the forecast, have a look at the Hong Kong Observatory site here: (www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/currwx/fnd.htm)

• Change to starting point

  Posted September 29, 2011

  Last week I had a chance to do a trial run of the route. It took a little over 2 hours, so we’re in the right ballpark in terms of time. The restaurant inside Hong Kong Park is closed. We’ll meet in the Tai Chi Garden instead. The garden sits above the Olympic Square and just before/below the Aviary. A map of the park with the Olympic Square and Tai Chi Garden highlighted in yellow is located here: www.lcsd.gov.hk/parks/hkp/en/popMap.php.

  Feel free to arrive a little early, to photograph Flagstaff house and the dragonflies down at the lake.

• Route finalized

  Posted September 29, 2011

  I have made a few adjustments to the route. Instead of walking down Hollywood Road to the Man Mo Temple, we’ll go up Old Bailey Street next to the Central Police Station compound and walk down Staunton Street, which has a little more character. Then we’ll drop back down to Hollywood Road at Shing Wong Street, just before the temple.

  Sadly, Man Mo Temple is under renovation. We can still go inside, but scaffolding obscures much of the hanging incense coils.

  Overall, the walk offers a range of photo opportunities: old buildings, modern buildings, lots of texture, steel and glass, stone, some run-down areas, small shops stuffed into little corners and even a street barber stall. I think it’s going to be a good day, if the weather allows…

  I’ve set up a flickr group here: www.flickr.com/groups/hkpw2011/, so that we can share our photos, and posted a route map here: www.flickr.com/photos/scott_brooks/6189887270/in/pool-1763400@N20/lightbox/.

• Do I have to stick with the group?

  Posted September 28, 2011

  This isn’t a paid tour and I won’t be taking attendance. If you get tired, or sidetracked during the walk, feel free to do your own thing. BUT don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet and get to know others on the walk. There will be photographers of differing skill levels and you might be able to learn something, teach something, or just make some new friends.

  If you get separated from the group, call me or send me a message and we’ll figure out how to reconnect.

• I don’t own an SLR, can I just use my point-and-shoot?

  Posted September 28, 2011

  Yes. Absolutely. Compact cameras and phone cameras can make fantastic photos. Plus, this is a social event and everybody will be there to have fun and make new friends.

• What do I need to bring with me?

  Posted September 28, 2011

  Your camera. Don’t leave home without it.

  Other than that, it depends on what you want to photograph and how much you want to carry.

  Our planned walk is not strenuous, but think about how much you want to haul around and what you want to get out of the walk. We’ll be moving constantly, so setting up shots with multiple lights probably isn’t going to happen, but if you’re comfortable with off-camera flash you may want to bring one. Bring an extra battery and storage cards – that way forgetting to charge your battery, or a bad card won’t end your day.

  Dress for walking and the weather. Comfortable shoes with good support is a must. Cross trainers, hiking shoes/boots, running shoes are all good options. You will be happier in loose-fitting clothes. Chafing sucks; believe me. It is likely to rain at some point, so bring a jacket and something you can use to cover your camera. Most cameras are actually pretty tolerant of a little water, so you can snap a photo in the rain, but try to keep your camera covered when you’re not using it.

  Water. Drinking plenty of water is important. You can bring water with you, or buy water from 7-Eleven, Circle K, Mannings, etc. We’re walking in the city, so we’ll be passing shops along the way. Just don’t forget to drink…

Comments for this walk One Response to “Admiralty, Hong Kong Island Hong Kong (Hong Kong Park – Sheung Wan)”

1. Simon AVLP says:

   August 20, 2011 at 12:22 am

   Great! how could I miss this event?

   Reply