a glimpse of one last "dai pai dong"

Posted by
hugo poon (hong kong, Hong Kong) on 30 June 2009 in Documentary & Street and Portfolio.

"Dai pai dong (open-air food stall) is characterised by its green-painted steel kitchen, untidy atmosphere, the lack of air conditioning, as well as a variety of low priced dishes. Regarded by some as part of the collective memory of Hong Kong people, official dai pai dongs are scarce today, numbering only 28 ..." Wikipedia. So, this is probably one of the last 28.

Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong

Streets, buildings, shops, people, life... whatever interested me in the daily journey between work and home.

FUJIFILM FinePix F200EXR 1/13 second F/3.3 ISO 200 7 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 (15)

k@ from France

Love how you framed this with that left part wall & sign leading our eyes towards the bulbs and people gathered under the halo of lights, great story you tell of lost times whose still remains some bits your camera contributes to share too !

30 Jun 2009 5:13am

Stephen Phillips from San Francisco, United States

Ah, Hugo - my kind of place. Let me grab a pair of chopsticks and I'll be right over. Wonderful light throughout the image. Nicely done. How are you?

30 Jun 2009 6:45am

@Stephen Phillips: How are you Stephen? It's so nice to see you dropping by!:-) Everything is fine with me except feeling more and more exhausted by the demanding day job...

Mathilde Collot from Fontainebleau, France

Impressive this large panel to the left of the image with these letters full of mystery for us, but a nice design! I love all the shadows on this image that people grouped under the lights. Everything gives the night its secrets!

30 Jun 2009 9:28am

Paco Díaz from Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Good spy angle :))
I like very much the impression of everyday life and leisure in your town.

30 Jun 2009 9:56am

David BM from Gijón, Spain

Very nice as always :-)

30 Jun 2009 12:43pm

dj.tigersprout from New York City, United States

i think it is time to eat -- this is making me hungry!!! :)

30 Jun 2009 3:16pm

mo.langel from Courtelary, Switzerland

I love the panel in foreground and the small open-air restaurant!!! Always a very beautiful light on your photos Hugo!

30 Jun 2009 3:40pm

Steve Rice from Olympia, United States

Beautiful composition. I think I would love to eat here.

30 Jun 2009 4:08pm

Anna.C from LA ROCHELLE, France

oops ! I missed your photo today, sorry ;-) I love the night atmosphere of these open-air food cooking ! the same in Bankgok, common in Asian I think..great mood restored !!

30 Jun 2009 4:20pm

olivier Paillet from toulouse, France

I have absolutely to revise my English because I am very deprived not to be able to express all the feelings that I feel by looking at your picture !!!
Very nice shot !!!

30 Jun 2009 4:35pm

MARIANA from waterloo, Canada

This shot the same as any other by you is always full of some wonderful atmosphere, the atmosphere that is so strange to me but at the same time so inviting . You are a master of lighting and you know perfectly how to grab viewers attention ! AWESOME !

30 Jun 2009 4:45pm

ordinaryimages from Kentucky Bluegrass, United States

The bugs would carry you away in the South : ] best...jerry

30 Jun 2009 5:06pm

Khorshid.~ from Tehran, Iran

excellent

30 Jun 2009 6:33pm

bluechameleon from Vancouver, Canada

Your eye for detail and composition always blows me away. I love the depth of field in this shot...including the characters (what light) and the scene beyond. Nothing is missed, bravo!

1 Jul 2009 1:37pm

william chan from Hong Kong

the food in Ta Pai Tung is always yummy..regardless the food hygiene issue:)

20 Jul 2009 9:04am

next day →

FUJIFILM FinePix F200EXR
1/13 second
F/3.3
ISO 200
7 mm

one day in my life