It all began with this roll of film…

During the summer of 2019, I found myself in the depths of despair. Seeking an escape, I impulsively travelled to Japan with no itinerary, save for a borrowed Pentax MX film camera. My friend had lent it to me with the hope that I might rediscover love through its lens, but I was skeptical. My world was consumed by darkness, and I found no beauty in anything.

With nowhere to go and no one to talk to, I often dragged myself to the convenience store just to eat. But then, in a moment of boredom, I pulled out the MX and began to wander, sitting for hours in tunnels, stations, and parks, hiding behind the viewfinder to avoid interaction. As the days went by, I found myself on the ferry to the Setouchi Triennale, surrounded by groups and couples. Alone on the deck, I watched as a father showed his daughter the contrail of a plane passing overhead. The sun cast a shimmering golden light on the gentle waves, and the father held his daughter gently. At that moment, I swiftly loaded my film, adjusted my settings by instinct, and pulled the shutter, right when the daughter hugs him back– that was my decisive moment (Henri Cartier-Bresson). The resulting photo became the one I cherish most, a reminder that beauty still existed in the world.

Why film photography?

Film photography has then become a passion of mine after the CONTRIAL. Especially with its extremely time-consuming process feature. Before pressing the shutter, I must carefully consider the mechanical controls, film cost, and limited quantity. However, the consideration process may cause me to miss the perfect moment. Therefore, being able to produce an image that I love in the end is extremely precious. I have missed two rolls of film before, and the regret and disappointment were extremely overwhelming.

In some cases, a missed opportunity can lead to regret－from my shooting journey I’ve lost 2 rolls of films. but I've learned that some moments are meant to be remembered instead, how tight and hard I tried to recall those lost punctums. Through the long process of capturing each photo, I am able to channel the emotions of a place and recall the live moments surrounding each frame. Street Film, as I see it, captures the essence of life, from livelihood to lifestyle, to the daily moments that shape the city. And so, each photo becomes a celebration of the culture through emotions and a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is still light to be found.

The main parts of my portfolio came from 3 places: Hong Kong, Japan and the UK. Hong Kong is where I am from. Japan and the UK are places I have resided from 3weeks to a month for the photographic experience. I find that its essential to take time to live in that place, for me to channel the heartbeat of the city. I have to be able to not rush, for the “slow” feature with my own film camera, plus to observe the walks of lives. And that is precisely why I would love to join this residence programme, because a residence is a must for my creation.

Taken in the city center of Takamatsu, Shikoku, this was a time when I had nothing to do. Carrying my KX, I wandered aimlessly and found myself drawn to the bustling crowds of commuters making their way to and from work. As evening approached, the railway station and nearby underpasses became a hive of activity. Despite their fatigue, the workers remained poised and dignified, some even cycling home in their impeccably pressed suits and dresses, some were getting drunk to eat their daytime feelings.

Taking a break at a roadside cafe at the Setouchi Triennale. 2 cats were sitting beside me, so I followed their lives for around an hours, to peek-a-boo how the 2 live together.

Photographed before and after the pandemic. The hardworking lives of Hong Kong people are renowned worldwide. Every day we are immersed in long commutes, so I chose to capture people within the city’s transport systems—revealing countless expressions of fatigue and indifference.

This photo series is inspired by the painter LS Lowry, who is famous for his drawings on the Industrial lives of Manchester. The Industrial architectural style intrigues me therefore I stayed nearby the station where citizens go off work to and have this moment captured—they felt light and free.

The Manchester Museum reopened its doors after three long years, the air buzzed with anticipation and excitement. Citizens young and old queued eagerly, eager to revisit the treasures within. Amid the hubbub of the museum's many wonders - from mummies to wildlife specimens - it was the children who found joy in the quieter corners, drawn to the tiny poison frog sessions and the hidden gems found on the museum's outskirts. It was a reminder that, even amid the grandeur and spectacle of the museum, the simplest pleasures can often be the most profound.

This photo series is my inquiry to the royalty culture in the UK. I was trying to get in a park right across, yet I have to go all the way round this palace, with another huge garden inside, that no one was there at all. I took me 50 minutes to get across that Banned area where on map it showed 10 minutes if I could have walked into the palace. As I finally reached the other side of the gate, I saw this little bird gazing at the royal symbols from above. Then, WOOP! She jumped into the palace! I couldn’t help but laughed, feeling like she was mocking me that she managed to roam freely there.