I mentioned I was going shoot some pretty Asian models with the flickr Hong Kong Strobist group … and I did just that. The group of us, loaded down with light stands, flashes, various umbrellas, triggers and equipment met at the public dock in Kennedy Town, Hong Kong Island. The intention was to shoot on the docks, among dilapidated shelters, machinery, barrels and crates. Cool, no?

After starting to set-up – the security guards waded in. In mainland China security guards are everywhere, like a benign plague of locust, and they are generally ignored. In my city of Shenzhen I think there is one security guard for every 25 square-meters of real estate. Had we been shooting in Shenzhen, slipping a folded fifty would have dealt with the situation. Alas, Hong Kong security guards are a little more on the ball than their mainland brothers.

After a quick hike, totting equipment, props, models and make up artists, we arrived at a vacant lot / hillside drainage area. We set-up (again) and went to work in the fading light. The models were great. I learned some new techniques from some kick-ass shooters. Pretty Asian Model, Heidi (above) was a joy to work with. (If the photo would have had a backlight if would be killer) For more images – see my flickr stream.

To any photographers: Do you warm up before you shoot. Zack Arias talks about warming up in his One Light DVD series – getting in the groove before starting a session. I need to do something in this regard – my series with the first model truly sucks. Tips, anyone?

If you’re exploring the Strobist world I suggest meeting up with your local group. Good times.

To both meet some other shooters and network I attended an outing held by the Hong Kong Photography club a few weeks back. I’m not really a social person. The idea of hanging out all afternoon with expats I didn’t know wasn’t particularly enticing. They all had cameras, so we had something in common – which in more than I can say for many Shenzhen, China expats – who sit on bar stools and wax poetic about their past lives or lecture on what is wrong with China and how they would change it.  Sorry, I digress…

A gang of 32+ togs, loaded for bear, met at the Diamond Hill MTR station in Kowloon, Hong Kong. We then moved en masse to Nan Lian Garden, a park-like public garden across the street. I wonder what ran through the minds of the those that witnessed this Canon, Nikon and Leica migration? In a rare double appearance, both the blue sky and sun could be seen intermittently that afternoon, we must have been blessed. I think both have been on an extended holiday. We walked, the group slowly breaking up as people stopped to shoot different things. Everyone was in his or her own little world where the viewfnder is  crucible.

Flowers in the traditional Chinese garden outside the nunnery

Adjacent to Nan Lian Garden is the Chi Lin Nunnery. The temple complex is a massive, 33,000 square meters of buildings, gardens and shrines. The original Buddhist temple dates to the 1930, but the complex was rebuilt in the 1980 in the style of the Tang Dynasty. All the buildings are self supporting – no nails were used in construction. ‘

It didn’t have the same temple “vibe” I enjoy, but it was an enjoyable afternoon. Maybe my justified fear of expats is receding?

This Saturday I am off to meet with some peeps from the Hong Kong Strobist group. Nine photographers, three models, and a make-up artist, with the Hong Kong docks as a back drop. Wish me luck.

I didn’t really get into any trouble spending the Lantern Festival in Hong Kong earlier this week. My schedule was pretty busy. The former Police Married Quarters on Aberdeen Street have been opened to the public by the HULU Culture group and are being used for art and multimedia displays.

The two 7-story apartment blocks were opened in 1951 and housed thousands of police families until they were closed in 2005. The Hong Kong government wanted to sell the buildings, prime real estate on Hong Kong island, but community groups objected and efforts are being made to revitalize the aging buildings.

The public corridors on each floor separated the living quarters from the kitchens. This successful design was used later when Hong Kong expanded it’s public housing program.

I love old buildings. The former Police Married Quarters on Hollywood Road are old, but not super old. Still, it was a fun couple of hours. For once, I used the tripod I lug around everywhere. More photos to follow as I get my computer back up to snuff after my hard drive crash of last week.

Making Chinese New Year Dumplings for the Year of the Tiger.

Happy Chinese New Year. Happy Year of the Tiger.  Gong Xi Fa Cai! Xin Nian Kuai Le!

In a cacophony of fireworks the Year of the Tiger arrived. New Years Eve, February 13, was noisy in my little corner of China. The explosions started around 7 pm and continued to well past midnight. It’s amazing what you’re able to block out after experiencing it for a few years.

Mrs. Stevo and I dined with friends at their home. The matron of the household, a doctor and native of Henan province, made dumplings, a traditional New Year’s food. We also ate fish – another traditional food. Fish in Chinese – Yu – sounds like the word for ’surpluses,’ also Yu.

New Year’s day Mrs. Stevo prepared a wonderful lunch of chicken, beef, fish, soup and assorted vegetables. It was quite delish and makes me admire how far her cooking skills have progressed. When we first met her culinary preparations started and ended with instant noodles.

I did nothing the first day of Chinese New Year. Ate and slept. The two days before that I had been priming the walls of Chateau DIY. Back to that today. No rest for the wicked.

To all my friends and the random stoppers-by: Happy Chinese New Year. May the Year of the Tiger be a safe and prosperous one for your families.

Something to watch for: Photographer extraordinaire, Michael at Expatriate Games, is shooting his Chinese town, Liuzhou, for 24 hours. One of his first stellar images is published. Take a look.

Getting Ready: Morning on Victoria Harbor

I haven’t gone to Hong Kong very much since last July. Five trips in seven months: That won’t do. My Chinese resident permit will be ready tomorrow, I will be a resident of the Middle Kingdom (again) and be able to leave and return without worrying about visas and other government mumbo-jumbo.

Once upon a time I loathed Hong Kong. I would have proclaimed “I hate Hong Kong,” from the top of Victoria peak if I’d had the chance. But, we all mellow. I still believe Hong Kong is the place useless and bitter expats go to die, but I’ve managed to see past that.

I usually stay at  a rather small guesthouse. (If you haven’t heard of Chungking Mansions you can count yourself as lucky. ) Being an early riser I’m out on the streets while everyone else is still asleep, except for the Chungking Mansions drug dealers: They never sleep. Seeing things that few people get to see is pretty amazing. The sun rising over Victoria Harbour, birds in dawn flight, joggers, fishermen, and boat captains.

Craig Ferguson, a master photographer, recommends getting up early, one of the tips in his new photography ebook, Tips, Tricks and Pics. At $5, it’s a steal. I had the pleasure of checking out an almost complete version of the book and highly recommend it. What in the photography world can you buy for $5? This book is a must-have.

The captain above had his boat anchored beside the Kowloon Star Ferry Terminal. At 7:38 am he was polishing the glass of his rustic conveyance. I grabbed a couple of shots before he noticed me.

Sleep is over-rated.

Sunrise in Hong Kong

What it’s been? A couple of months?

I’m back. Sort of.

Where have I been? Here and there. Everywhere and nowhere.

After 3.5 years of blogging I was a little tired. Seeing what some bloggers had done in the name of making a buck made me sad. Tired and sad, I opted for a little time away from Asian Ramblings and the travel blog scene.

That and I’ve turned a page or two in the book that is my life. A whole new chapter, you might say.

• A new job, as I mentioned previously. Out of the classroom and into the boardroom.
• We (Mrs. Stevo and I) bought a condo. I have been busy rolling in plaster dust and trying to remember the cuss words my father was fond of saying while doing DIY projects.
• Mrs. Stevo is expecting. That’s right, there’s a bun in the oven. The stork is circling. I’m happy and frightened.
• I’ve taken a shot or two since I last posted here. I’ve been playing around with black and white.
• Asian Ramblings has been nominated again for the Bloggies. Head on over and vote for your favorite blogs.

That’s all for now. I’ll be around with a story or a photo to share as time permits.