watching rain...

Posted by hugo poon (hong kong, Hong Kong) on 1 February 2009 in Documentary & Street and Portfolio.

The Landmark, Central, Hong Kong

Took this shot on a rainy day one summer as I was "trapped" in Central, HK. It was a busy covered footbridge linking up two commercial complexes; and I'm glad to be "decisive" enough to take the shot - the scene was gone in just a few minutes...

Thanks to Damon for arranging this event and I love to take this opportunity to share with this wonderful community three of my favourite b&w street photos. In photography, I'm not sure if there is right or wrong, even good or bad... but there are certainly the interesting or the boring, like or dislike; these three pics are the ones I like most - my all-time favourites. Hope you enjoy them too.

I do not regard myself as a photographer. I'm merely a guy who enjoys capturing all the memorable scenes that I encounter in my everyday life. Perhaps, it's like a traveller hoping to record his memorable journey, but in my case, it's the journey of my life ... If I can record my encounters in such a way that they leave an image on the mind of myself and other viewers, it's a tremendous joy and some accomplishment...
In terms of photography, I'm trying to preserve the moments as my eyes see "something" and my heart feels it too. As such, I seldom feel interested in planned, arranged or manipulated photographs...

http://www.pbase.com/hpicckcy

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Comments (40)

bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada

Fantastic shot Hugo! I love his contrasting silhouette against the rain splattered window. All activity on the other side of the glass down in the street is cool. There is no right or wrong...but for the record, in my books this is right!

1 Feb 2009 5:08am

Nataly from Santa Monica, United States

Great shot! This will be my favorite as well! Looking out into the world from within, from a safe place of calm.

1 Feb 2009 5:19am

Ian Bramham from Manchester, United Kingdom

Ahhh!....how delighted I am to see my all time favourite photo of yours appear here! What a great choice for your street photo for Damon's theme!

1 Feb 2009 6:10am

Ian Bramham from Manchester, United Kingdom

( I forgot to ask Hugo....the Fuji F10 was your first camera wasn't it?!)

1 Feb 2009 6:12am

@Ian Bramham: Oh, Ian, yes, this shot was taken with an F10... How time flies, it's like yesterday but it was almost four years ago. To be accurate, F10 was my second digital camera but definitely the first camera that roused me to this passion for taking pictures!:-)
Thanks again for all the warm support and letting my know there's such a marvelous photo lovers community as Am3!

dik from McAllen, United States

Isolation and solitude above the fray. Love it.

1 Feb 2009 6:31am

browneyes from Kanagawa, Japan

So silent. And so beautiful. Love this.

1 Feb 2009 7:20am

Paco Díaz from Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Wonderful shot, Hugo. The window with all those rain drops between the silhouette and the street is the real protagonist. Very good, my friend.

1 Feb 2009 7:22am

Momo from Montpellier, France

I've always loved this image of a man looking out on the city, life, and how well it reflects what you are doing with your life and your magic image maker...thanks for all your work Hugo...always something good...

1 Feb 2009 8:49am

Hikari from Kumamoto, Japan

Excellent ! as usual , I really like your work !

1 Feb 2009 9:05am

k@ from France

Isn't it YOU ? It's your pic on your About page, am I right ? Always have enjoyed it - looking at his back looking at the city ! That's a great one, yep !

1 Feb 2009 9:25am

@k@: Oh, no, it isn't me... I have yet to overcome the shyness to be photographed.:-)
This has been my favourite shot and I have always used it as my "signature pic" so as to remind myself that getting a good picture is both a matter of luck and one of patience or preparation: "What you want may come or may not come, but when it comes, it comes incidentally."
Thanks again k@ for the warm words!:-)

Giovanni from Milan, Italy

Love this photo! it's one of my favorites and it's truly representative of your style and your art!!

1 Feb 2009 9:39am

Ana Lúcia from Leiria, Portugal

Loneliness. See the world protected. Great image of this century.

1 Feb 2009 10:09am

GJC from Kyoto, Japan

As good as it can be. The framing, the light, the mood -- superb.

1 Feb 2009 11:51am

Ron from Saint Louis, United States

Outstanding image, Hugo ... I'm drawn to the sense of solitude it suggests ... here is a man (seemingly) all alone and yet he is surrounded by a city full of people. The reflections and framing provided by the window add to the overall beauty of the image. I can easily see why it is one of your all time favorites ... truly a special moment captured in time.

1 Feb 2009 11:51am

Cat from PARIS, France

I like to imagine the apparent silence of that man and the rush of the city outisde. It's very beautifull because it's a little sad too...

1 Feb 2009 1:13pm

Nicole from Aix en Provence, France

I like this picture ! nice capture

1 Feb 2009 1:34pm

Mirko Herzner from Mühlheim am Main, Germany

One of the best shots I have seen on your blog, Hugo... Lovely.

1 Feb 2009 1:54pm

Pixim from Nice, France

Ooooh as I love. Moreover as the majority of your photographs even if I do not comment. This one is of an extraordinary photographic precision. I love also this character who as added puts the active street at the second-plan, with this pane like separation. Is that perhaps the representation of you photographer? Bravo ;)

1 Feb 2009 2:43pm

António Pires from Lisbon, Portugal

Good idea looking at the street through the window. Very good photo.

1 Feb 2009 3:01pm

Steve Rice from Olympia, United States

This is a really strong image. The B&W tones are such a treat. Love it.

1 Feb 2009 4:04pm

Alphons from Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands

A special photo with a busy street and a sedate looking person. Fine composition.

1 Feb 2009 4:21pm

Damon Schreiber from Toronto, Canada

Ah indeed, I've always loved this image: such a good avatar for the photographer observing life through a glass, observing but apart from it. Also the tonal properties are excellent, with the foreground in shade and the street scene full of detail. Finally, it really highlights the strengths of small-sensor cameras like your F10 to have that endless depth of field even at f/2.8.

1 Feb 2009 4:42pm

Drey from Toulouse, France

Great shot!!

1 Feb 2009 5:08pm

Stephen Phillips from San Francisco, United States

This is a stellar photograph - well worthy of being a favorite. The interesting study of everything outside of that window has us sharing your experience, standing there. What anchors the photograph and gives it great strength - is the extensions of your legs into the floor - courtesy of a very polished reflection. The strong contrast of the foreground against the muted gray scale beyond - provides further depth. The sense of division - that sensation of internal / external presence - is well established here.

1 Feb 2009 5:36pm

Anita from Quito, Ecuador

BEAUTIFUL! I love the depth, the details, the reflections in the floor and the feeling it radiates,...
Very well done!

1 Feb 2009 5:39pm

Barbara from Florida, United States

Remarkable. I find a sense of emotion in the image. Great B&W for the challenge. I like the people rushing with their umbrellas in the distance.

1 Feb 2009 6:12pm

Kheoh Yee Wei from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

the old man could probably have felt he was an outcast in the city he was looking at ! This is my favourite shot of yours as well.

1 Feb 2009 7:52pm

Evelyn from Berkeley, United States

There is something deeply sad and emotive about this photo. I want to stare at it and stare. Great work.

1 Feb 2009 7:57pm

Matt Sutton from Sydney, Australia

I have always loved this image of yours Hugo ! Excellent !!

1 Feb 2009 8:56pm

JTF from Zaanstad, Netherlands

Love this shot...seems like B&W photography takes over, I like it just more and more every day...it's just so powerful..touches me deep inside.
But maybe it's cause I'm a Pencilartist, all my work is in black, white and grey..

1 Feb 2009 11:11pm

Observing from West Cheshire, United Kingdom

He's wondering about going out - but decides to stay. It's a superb shot Hugo.

2 Feb 2009 1:13am

Pradeep from India

Great stuff, love the control of light and your exposure...brilliant :)

2 Feb 2009 4:10am

IanSmith from London, United Kingdom

Hi Hugo... Like all your fans, I agree that this is one of your best shots of the early days. Its great to see it again after such a long time - and when you get around to publishing your book, I think this is a contender for the cover image! :-)

2 Feb 2009 8:47am