"新英華理髮廳 (new ying wah barber)"

Posted by hugo poon (hong kong, Hong Kong) on 19 June 2011 in Documentary & Street and Portfolio.

Another old (Shanghai) style barber shop on the second floor of a dilepidated tenement building. Did try to wait a while for some incidental things, maybe a passing cat or a visitor, to lend it atmosphere... but it was deadly quiet; couldn't even hear a sound except that heartbeat of my own... this was thus far I dare go, I admit.:-)

The Larger version: http://www.pbase.com/hpicckcy/image/135657638/original

Queen's Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong

'Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again.' Henri Cartier Bresson

Fujifilm FinePix X100 1/30 second F/8.0 ISO 2500 23 mm

I do not regard myself as a photographer. I'm an ordinary man but extraordinarily obsessed with capturing all the memorable scenes that I encounter in my everyday life. It's like an excited traveller craving to record his memorable journey in a memorable way, 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...

Comments (19)

Steve Rice from Olympia, United States

An interesting, almost mystical, looking place. It makes one wonder when is a busy time for the shop and how can it stay in business. A spooky atmosphere captured so well.

19 Jun 2011 6:32am

Dexter Chee from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I can felt the emptiness from this photo. The internal lighting having a big contrast to the outside corridor. Add more mistery mood to this photo.

19 Jun 2011 6:49am

Adela Fonts from Barcelona, Spain

Strange place ... misteriorsa intriguing door at the end of a hallway and then up the stairs ... Truly intriguing! A hug, Adela

19 Jun 2011 10:22am

Z from Shanghai, China

a city is full of stories..truly it is:)

19 Jun 2011 11:06am

Ian Smith from London, United Kingdom

I imagine any sounds you would hear might be of torturous screams and dentist drills - what a nightmare place (for me - I don't like the dentist)! Nice shot Hugo!

19 Jun 2011 12:32pm

Curly from South Shields, United Kingdom

Still has atmosphere Hugo created by the differing types of light. I might have liked to have seen a queue of waiting customers, but you cannot have everything!

19 Jun 2011 5:47pm

Anna.C from LA ROCHELLE, France

mistery entry, nice angle and atmosphere ! I love the light !

19 Jun 2011 7:33pm

Dokmateo from Madrid, Spain

A very interesting and mystical composition Hugo! Looks like from the movie "the Grudge". =))

19 Jun 2011 11:39pm

GJC from Kyoto (京都), Japan

Great story, which adds to the photo. As you say, this one is uniquely still among your wonderful photos.

20 Jun 2011 7:12am

k@ from Paris, France

Reds are so wonderful above all on your other page, and the quality at ISO 2500 stunning, one really has the desire to climb these stairs and visit the warm place up there. Next time ? ;) Courage for this new week, dear, hoping you cope with the work.

20 Jun 2011 9:10am

Ronnie 2¢ from Atlantic Shores, United Kingdom

Sure does look suspiciously quiet . . and the doors seem rather prison-like, too !

20 Jun 2011 9:51am

Ralph Jones from Detroit, United States

Fantastic atmosphere and it does have a certain amount of tension to it. I am not sure I would have explored it alone either.

21 Jun 2011 1:21am

Evelyne Dubos from Le Mans, France

The contrast of lights makes the shot and the angle of view is well choosen. Good compo.

21 Jun 2011 6:17am

Pavan Kaul from Mumbai, India

So quaint and charming...an air of mystery and intrigue! Such a wonderful image in those difficult conditions but not surprising from you my friend!

21 Jun 2011 6:42am

Olivier Paillet from toulouse, France

Mysterious way .... A great job ! Well done !

21 Jun 2011 8:53am

Francisco Romero from Carbajal de la Legua, Spain

Very appealing image. I keep drawn to the interior with this intriguing atmosphere given by those lights. Great image, Hugo.

21 Jun 2011 6:29pm

Michael Fresh from Chester, United Kingdom

Great mixed light adding presence to the back-street Barber shop. The entrance gives us an impression, but we must guess what the rest is like.

22 Jun 2011 1:39am

larans from Lund, Sweden

Wonderful capture and very interesting. I like the "dual tone" here in this motive, with the warm and cold colors.It really shows the welcoming to the barber shop!

22 Jun 2011 5:16am

RORO from LE HAVRE, France

I like the warm colour in the back, it's like another place

25 Jun 2011 9:45am