Introduction

If you’re looking for some quick tips and tricks to make sure you’re ready for street photography in Hong Kong, look no further. In this post I’ve collected 10 tips from my personal experience of shooting street scenes in Hong Kong, including some HK specific ones that you may not have considered yet. Hong Kong is recovering well from the pandemic and the street photography scene is now reflecting that, with the city reclaiming its place as one of the best for street photography. If you’re planning a trip out here, take a look at the tips below and make sure you’re prepared, so you can spend all the time you need comfortably getting epic street images. 

Summary:

1. Keep it light. Work with a convenient setup to keep mobile.

2. Expect to be waved away or even yelled at.

3. Plan breaks to cool down during summer. 

4. Trams are good for some shots, but are generally quite slow.

5. Don’t forget the back alleys.

6. Sunrise & sunset offer the best light.

7. Neons are disappearing, but nights are still great for exploring.

8. Allow for extra time to fish.

9. Be aware of superstitions.

10. Look out for local highlights.

Tips & Tricks for Hong Kong Street Photography

Keep it light. Work with a convenient setup to keep mobile.

Hong Kong can get extremely hot and humid during the summer months. For the sake of your health and your gear, I’d recommend using a relatively compact set up when you’re out on the streets during the day. The city is very accessible by walking, and it’s likely that you’ll spend hours roaming the streets looking for your perfect composition, so it makes sense to keep it light. I’d recommend something like a Sony A7C, a Fuji X100V or a Leica Q2 so that you don’t find yourself sweating from carrying multiple lenses or a bulky set up. If you don’t have a smaller camera, a single 35mm or 50mm lens should suit nicely.

Expect waving, swearing or yelling.

No matter how friendly you are, some people don’t want to be photographed. In Hong Kong, it’s normal to receive a frosty reception when snapping street shots, from a dismissive wave, to a head shake, to…something a little more vocal. If that does happen don’t be alarmed, put your camera down, smile or nod and walk away.

Plan breaks to cool down.

It can get humid and sticky, even during the evenings. I suggest that you plan a cafe or restaurant stop before you head out so you know where you can rest and get a break in an air-conned environment. This will also let your gear and batteries cool down as well. If you do need refreshments or a cold drink, Hong Kong has 7-11s or Circle Ks dotted around the neighbourhoods for you to get refreshments.

Trams can be slow.

I love using the trams to get around as they offer a unique perspective from the heart of the city. That being said, they can be extremely slow if you’re actually using them to get from A to B, and in many cases the MTR or a cab can be more efficient. You’ll also need a 24-70mm or 70-200mm to get more subject-specific shots, otherwise you’re stuck with wide-angle perspectives from higher up.

Don’t forget the back alleys.

So many hidden treasures are hidden in the back alleys of various neighbourhoods. Be sure to divert some of your attention to them, looking into each one as you walk past. If you do choose to venture down them, be aware that they can often be dirty and smelly, it’s best to watch where you step and use a torch if you’re out at night. Despite these small flaws, the alleyways in Hong Kong are home to some of the most interesting people, compositions and lighting.

Sunrise and sunset are the best times to shoot.

A no brainer, but worth repeating. Like New York, the density of the buildings means that the sunlight looks best at specific times of day and at different times during the year. Use an app to check the sunset direction and understand which roads might get the best light during the morning or afternoon.

Neons are disappearing, but night shots are still worth it.

I’ve spoken about this in my articles before and often lament the destruction of Hong Kong’s night photography environment. Despite that, the stalls, street lights, fruit shops, taxis, and signs still offer ample material for interesting photographs. Don’t expect that a lot of the signs that you’ve read about online to still be there, so plan to capture other scenes to make the night shots worth it.

Allow extra time to fish.

Fishing (waiting in one spot until you get the composition you want) definitely works. With one of the highest population densities in the world, there are all kinds of people of all demographics to step into your compositions. This still requires patience and extra time to wait around, so be sure that you’ve factored that into your schedule.

Be aware of superstitions.

Something specific to parts of Asia is that there are certain superstitions that you should be aware of when taking street photos. With Hong Kong, it’s usually customs or places to do with death or honoring ancestors that will be off limits. The Ghost Festival in August sees a lot of people take to the streets to burn paper gifts for their ancestors. It’s not advised to go around taking photos of this though, as there is a superstition that the souls of the dead relatives will be caught in the photos. Coffin shops or undertakers are also off limits for the same reason.

Look out for the local highlights.

Hong Kong is one of the best street photography destinations for a number of reasons. The sheer amount of activity and number of people means that you’ll never be short of material to capture. Try to get the right local elements to your photos to act as ‘locational identifiers’. This can be street signs, trams, taxis, a certain type of stall or activity. Work them in to your photos to capture a true, accurate representation of Hong Kong as a city.

Thanks for reading. If you think there are any other things that street photographers need to be aware of when shooting in Hong Kong, please send me a message and let me know. I’d love to hear from you.