All rights to this photograph is reserved the photographer
I was asked to do a video review for the Leica M9 (for DigitalRev), so I took the camera on the streets of Hong Kong to find some slightly more traditional elements amongst the bustling urban metropolis of the city. I was charmed by some of the sights I saw, such as the shoe polishers – something which you don’t often see on the streets anymore – busy at work doing the craft that they know best. It served as a visual metaphor for the Leica M9, a camera that is steeped in tradition yet is keeping up with modern standards, but has become a bit of a rare breed indeed. Also, I like this image because it sums up the society that we live in today.
Shot with the Leica M9 and a 50mm Summilux-M ASPH – what a beautiful lens
Why I use a Leica:
There’s something quite therapeutic about looking through the viewfinder of a rangefinder camera and I know how that may sound. The viewfinder is like an extension of the eye, with everything bright and in focus it’s up to the photographer to think, compose and interpret what is seen through that viewfinder to make the final image. Making images on an M-camera is a rewarding process and having access to decades of amazing Leica glass is the icing on the cake.
Kai Man Wong lives and works in Hong Kong. Check out more of his Leica shots by visiting his Flickr photostream.
PS: If you’re curious about Kai’s video review of the Leica M9 for DigitalRev, here it is:
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Ca me rapelle Grand Central Station :D
Kai, lovely shot, not just this one but I also liked the ones in your review. I enjoyed watching it :)
I knew that shot looked familiar. Nice work, and great videos, man! What a job!
I am not a Leica photographer and probably won’t be one. Not only because of its price but because I think it is a bulky old fashioned instrument that is desperately trying to sell the old world charm. Admittedly coupled by very high quality on certain areas (like optics). As someone recently pointed out (sorry, I forgot the source) “the Leica is the rich man’s jewel”. However, price is the secondary reason. Most importantly you can take great images with ANY camera. No need to buy a Leica for that.
A social commentary to Kai’s image of the shoe shiners: photographing them from the point of view of the customers makes you be one of them. Those who can buy Leicas. Lowering the camera to the level of the shoe shiners would have elicited empathy for those people. Not that the images were not great. I like them very much. Only a different camera angle, a different emphasis.
Akos: You have valid points and I won’t argue with another’s personal opinions. Cameras are just tools to me and if it does the job then it does the job. Some people may or may not like the Leica M range, but I do. Of course you do not need to own something with a red dot on it to take great photos, but of course these days you don’t really need to know anything about focusing, aperture, exposure to take great photos. I just prefer the rangefinder method. At the end of the day, it’s each to their own and I respect you if you prefer otherwise.
Thank you, I’m glad you liked the image. Of course, it’s down to interpretation and every individual has their own take on how to make an image. Let me explain why I shot this like I did:
Being at a high viewpoint makes us feel like we are one of the customers, or as you say “those who can buy Leicas”. Again, this was how I wanted to frame the shot, which wouldn’t necessarily be the same as how the next guy frames it, or how you would frame it. Sure, it would be nice to empathise with the shoe shiners, but don’t we live in a society of taking advantage of “shoe shiners”? We take advantage of cheap labour, we are the customers. How many things does one own that comes from China? I’m writing this now on a laptop that was Made in China but only a small part of that sizable price tag went to the Chinese workers who made it. In my opinion, empathy is ingrained, spoon-feeding messages doesn’t make one any more empathetic than they really want to be.
Anyway, that was my vague deconstruction of it. If you interpret the viewpoint as being one from some one “who can buy Leica”, then that’s how you look at it. But that’s the beauty of visual stimulation – we all create it and consume it differently.
Regards,
Kai
Alex, Renze, Cole: Thanks for the comments and appreciation of the video review :)
Hi Kai, your photo of the shoe polishers led me into watching the video, in which I saw more beautiful photos of Hong Kong. I am a Hongkonger myself and often wander through the streets of Central with my M. The images you took provide a fresh perspective on these familiar streets to me. Also, albeit being able to shoot discretely with an M, I wonder how you managed to take pictures like those in the temple and that of the street painter. The people in the frame seemed comfortable with your existence. Shooting like this is not always easy in Hong Kong where people are getting more and more resistant in getting pointed at with a camera. Great work!
Hi EricMoMo, thanks for the compliment :)
Yes, I think a lot of people in the city are not keen to have their photo taken. The Leica M is quite a discreet camera, but I’m not sure how to explain in words how I manage to get the shots without people minding me. Well, a lot of the time I just get the feel of whether a subject is approachable or not. Like the painter, I think he was quite comfortable with himself and I also made my presence known to him. Others I have to just get nearby and take the shot. It does help to focus as quick as possible – I find the focusing with focus tab a lot quicker than a lens without it.
Anyway, cheers for the comment! :)
Kai
Kai Man Wong is the BEST!