A friend from my university days took me on a photo walk in the older parts of Kowloon, the Sum Sui Po area, while I was visiting Hong Kong. The walk was around 4 hours. The time of year was near the Chinese New Year in February 2025. During this time, there are many vibrant markets, and people also get ready for big family gatherings and dinners.
Halfway through the walk, we sidetracked to this public open wet market so my friend could arrange with his familiar vendor for a later seafood pickup.
These markets are somewhat traditional as opposed to modern supermarkets since they offer fresh meat or seafood in tanks. Seasonal offerings, dry goods, and hard-to-find items are sold as well. You may also order or source specific items ahead of time. Various stalls are owned or leased individually. The markets are usually housed inside a 2-3-story open-air complex. They are clean and regularly inspected by public health agencies.
While my friend was talking, I wandered around close by and saw this lady working in her stall. This was the only picture I snapped at this stall. Honestly, I did not think this photo was any more special at the time. It was later, when reviewing the photos, that the lighting attracted me. I do not batch process but rather review photos one by one. The scene also somewhat reminded me of the eyesourcing vendor in the movie Blade Runner. There were photos of other vendors, but this one provided a powerful, haunting, and lonely moment in that one individual working hard when no one is looking.
What are the TWO most impactful features that make your image a good photograph? Don’t be shy!
One impactful feature for me is the number of items in that small stall. The hose, tanks, styrofoam, bags, trays, etc. The other counterbalancing element has got to be the human presence, right in the center, the lady, faceless, minding something in the back.
If you could make this photo again, what would be the ONE thing you would like to do better or differently?
One thing that I would do differently with this photo is perhaps move another 2 feet closer.
Harley Yang shared this photograph with the FRAMES Facebook Group.
Photographer
Harley Yang, Toronto, Canada
Equipment and settings
Ricoh GR III
ISO 1250, f/6.3, 1/200s.
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