Yaumatei Theatre 油麻地戲院

My impression of Yaumatei Theater started in the 70s and 80s in Hong Kong. It is only the outlook of the cinema building that I had seen while passing by bus. I have never been there watching movie until this December that I have the chance to join the guided tour of the Theater. I have a deeper understanding of the history and its transformation to a modern performing theater.

Yaumatei Fruit Market in 321 油麻地果欄之三比一

When I took pictures of the Yaumatei Fruit Market, I also used my iPhone 5 which was installed with the iPhone App of 645 PRO and selected the 6 x 17 "back" to take shots. The long strip of the 6 x 17 back gives a luxurious panoramic (3:1) format. The photos are presented in color to reflect the original tone of an old building.

Yaumatei Fruit Market 油麻地果欄

The Hong Kong weather in this December is abnormal with cloudy sky and light rain. The sun has disappeared for half month. However, this has not affected my incentive of having outdoor photography! Two years ago, I visited Yaumatei Fruit Wholesale Market and accomplished a photo album.

Blessings from heaven 天空之誠

Wishing everyone
a merry Christmas &
a prosperous new year !

誠祝各位聖誕快樂 新年進步 !

Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail 元荃古道

Last year in Hong Kong, it was very rare that I was able to visit two trails: one on the Lantau Island, walking from Mui Wo Pier and climbing several hills to Discovery Bay Pier. I spent 5 hours to complete the 6.5km journey. Another is Tsing Yi Natural Trail which is a 3.5km journey in 4-hour walk. This time I returned to Hong Kong and tried the "Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail". This is an ancient trail connecting Tsuen Wan and Sham Tseng  in Yuen Long.

Stanley in Multi-faceted look 赤柱多面睇

Stanley is a spot of interest for the tourists. I prefer the historical Murray House and Blake Pier。  They were decorated with other historical structures in the vicinity, including the pillars of the "Tung Cheung Pawn Shop" and others of the ancient Athens style.

Stanley in Panorama 赤柱全面睇

Stanley has a famous waterfront on the south shore of the Hong Kong island. Tourists love to visit the Stanley Market but I prefer to visit the historical Murray House and the Blake Pier.

Murray House is a restored three-stores colonial building built in 1844 that was dismantled in 1982 and transplanted from its original site on Fa Yuen Road in Central to be rebuilt on the Stanley waterfront.

Redevelopment of Yue Man Square 重建裕民坊

I was living at Ngau Chi Wan in my childhood. My primary school was located at Ngau Tau Kok whereas Kwun Tong was the place I used to spend my after school activities with my classmates. These three places were in the east end of the Kowloon Peninsular. Their development began since the 60s and lasted for more than half a century. Yue Man Square became a landmark in Kwun Tong's urban development. It was densely populated with parks, shops and food facilities etc.

Flying back to Hong Kong 返港之行

My impression of an airport dated back to my childhood. I was residing at Nau Chi Wan Village, near today's Choi Hung Estate and adjacent to  Ngau Chi Wan Fire Station. At that time, Kai Tak Airport was located at Kowloon City. I spent my childhood and adolescence in the waiting hall of Kai Tak Airport for sightseeing, reading and doing school assignment. Airport impresses me as a place for departure and reunion happened to mankind.

An afternoon stroll around a pond 閒遊午後的池塘

After working hard for these few days, I spent this afternoon strolling around the Toogood Pond again and took some photos to relieve my tension and fatigue of the body.

Revisiting Niagara Falls 重遊尼阿瓜拉大瀑布

In the past two weeks, I was busy with the preparation of the 7th anniversary of the Standard Grade Examination of the Chinese musical instruments organized by the Central Conservatory of Music of China in Toronto on October 31 and November 1 respectively. Thereafter, we have a "Concert of Chinese Musical Instruments presented by Virtuosi from China and Canada" with Standard Grade Exam Showcase.

Fall color in rural Ontario 安省郊野顯楓情

I love to drive along the side roads in Ontario. Many of them have already faded out in the process of urbanization. However, they are still the important roads connecting all the small towns in the rural Ontario. The Durham Road 9 is one of the famous side roads that I have visited many times in the past. These side roads have witnessed the prosperity of small towns in their golden days and they eventually become the relics of the urbanization.

On the way to fall color 往秋色之路

On 6 October, I drove to Gravenhurst 180km north of Toronto to watch  autumn color of the maple leaves. I followed Highway 400 and turned to Highway 11. On the way I could see the change of foliage colors. The color of fall became more obvious and prominent when going further north. I enjoyed a long scroll of natural picture of the autumn scenery. A sudden rain came when I arrived Gravenhurst. I went to a small park and the rain slowed down.

Inspiration at ROM 在安省博物館的啟示

October 4 was a special day for me as I have enjoyed both music and photography: music gives me relaxation and reminiscence, photography inspires my creativity. I was glad to attend the concert presented by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta in Toronto. The concert conducted by the Music Director Yip Wing-sie was highlighted by the sheng (a 2000-year Chinese mouth-organ) soloist Loo Sze-wang in performing composer Chan Hing-yan's music "Twas the Thawing Wind", a North American Premiere.

Rhythm of the fall leaves 秋楓妙韻

Yesterday was Saturday, the vacation on a 3-day long weekend just began. At 1:30pm I drove 180km north of Toronto to a small town Gravenhurst to look for fall leaves and for photography. I arrived there at 4pm. The sky turned gloomy and rain began. This had not reduced my interest in viewing fall leaves. I went to a small park and the maple leaves there had already changed to many attractive colors.

Hiking the Scarborough Bluffs trail 漫遊士嘉堡峭崖小徑

Recently I strolled around the Scarborough Bluffs cliff and looking down from there, I found a beautiful trail by the shore and on the skirt of the cliff. I have a desire at that very moment: to take a walk and sight-seeing along the trail. On 28 September, I visited the cliff again and followed a sign board which led me to the entrance of the trail.

Strolling at Scarborough Bluffs 閑遊士嘉堡懸崖

Last year, I went to the famous Scarborough Bluffs cliff many times to take landscape photographs. I preferred taking photos of the snowy cliff in winter. This afternoon, I visited Scarborough Bluffs for a walk again. I went to the cliff edge and took a panoramic view of the islands of the Scarborough Bluffs Park. As accidents of people falling from the cliff increased tremendously, government eventually built a stronger fence to prevent people from getting too close to the cliff edge.

Disappearance of a farm 消失中的農莊

Last year in June 2011, I drove along 16th Avenue, near Kennedy Avenue. I saw a farm. In a sunny day with blue sky and clouds, the farm scene displayed an extensive grassland. I parked my car across the street and took photographs of the beautiful scene. Later I learnt that the farmland was sold to the real estate developer for building a residential estate there.

也問『「翠玉白菜」當真價值過億？』

※ 作者︰許鐵民 (香港國際壽山石協會秘書長)

筆者是一位偶而上網者，最近才發現一則相當感興趣的信息, 出自廣卅日報於今年初發表的一篇文章『翠玉白菜當真價值過億?』。該篇文章由兩位記者卜松竹與吳聿立共同撰寫。報道的對象, 總共有四位文化藝術界的專家學者。

其中的一位, 廣東省工藝美術大師高兆華評述的重點, 三句不離本行, 說的是「料」和「工」,特別強調, 如今幾百萬的玉石材料可輕易地將「翠玉白菜」比下去。

Searching light and shadow at CNE 尋找展覽會的光與影

The annual Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) closed on 3 September. I have not visited the CNE for ten odd years. In two consecutive afternoons on 1st and 2nd September, I went to CNE near the harbourfront of the lake. This time, I wanted to take photographs of what I saw and heard. As the venue of the exhibition was vast and there were many attraction activities, some people went there taking what they saw without setting targets and theme of their photography.

Rock on rock 石上石

A few days ago, I went to the annual Canada National Exhibition (CNE) and visited the Rock On Rock Gallery. The visual artist Daryl Maddeaux stacked up small and big rocks up to the height of an adult. His patience, coolness, calmness and willpower to accomplish his artwork have made the audience amazed!

The charm of silhouette 迷人的剪影

In the evening ...
The sky turns black. 
On my way home, 
When the traffic lights turn red,
I stop at the crossroad ahead. 
In darkness,
The windscreen displays the road scene in a blur silhouette.

A passion for books and art 書情藝趣

Reading is the greatest pleasure in our life whereas art makes our life more beautiful. In Toronto, I like to go to book stores to spend my leisure. In this book store, the summer sun casts its beautiful shadows through the sun screen onto the floor.

Beauty of the pairs 美麗的配搭

Three pairs of geese swim in the flowing stream,

I am touring the Yalu River in day-dream.

The running waters like silk with splashing waves

The waterfall looks milky as if a gauze is laid

A few days ago, I went to a small pond in Unionville to take photos. The south end of the pond has a long pedestrian bridge. Water from the pond runs beneath the bridge to a small stream. It forms a small waterfall and a group of geese swim nearby. Children play on the grassland and adults sit around to enjoy their leisure.

Construction 360 建造360

Recently I visited the church under construction several times and walked around the site to take a full view of the gorgeous building. Though the construction site is full of soil, weeds, construction machines and fences, I can still discover elements of beauty in this messy environment.

Spider workers 地盤蜘蛛人

My recent album "The look of a cross" has presented the grand and gorgeous outlook of a church under construction and the contrast with a cross of another church. While taking photos, I was amazed by these workers' sky job with dangerous movement.

The look of a cross 十架的面貌

I was driving along Steeles Avenue eastbound.  On my left a gorgeous building came into my vision: a church was under construction.  Its shape of the whole building had completed and the eye-catching dome was made with steel bars.  I had my car parked at the nearby local lane.  I had some ideas to take some photos of this building.  I went to the south side of the Steeles Avenue and the distance was just enough to see the panoramic view of the church building.

Find the cooks of Keewatin 尋找當年桂船的廚工

Many people know about the history of Chinese in contributing their part in the construction of the Canada Pacific Railway.  Do you know that prior to the railway era in Canada, Keewatin and 4 other sister ships had catalyzed the Confederation of Canada?  All the cooks on board of these ships were talented and hardworking Chinese.

Historical S.S. Keewatin returns home 歷史郵輪回家了

Many people know the world renowned Titanic. Do you know that S.S. Keewatin was built in Scotland in 1905, 5 years earlier than Titanic for the Canadian Pacific Company to connect the Eastern Canada with Western Canada using the Great Lakes?  In 1965 Keewatin retired and was sold as a floating museum in Douglas on the Kalamazoo Lake in the States for another 45 years.

Revisiting the tranquil lake 重訪萬籟湖

July 1 is Canada Day. I drove in the morning to visit the tranquil lake in Port McNicoll again. My last visit to the lake was in a hurry and could not get the lake scene in detail.

Paddling sounds in a tranquil lake 槳聲劃破萬籟湖

On 28 June 2012, I drove along Highway 400 from Toronto and went northbound 160km to Port McNicoll. The Calvert Park is adjacent to the lake shore with dense of green plant on the shore. A small broken deck is still in the waters and looks like the one at Nam Sang Wai in Yune Long, Hong Kong.

An afternoon stroll at Miln Dam Conservation Park 閑遊保育公園

A friend told me that there is a conservation park in Unionville, Toronto. The park is tranquil and beautiful, a good place for strolling. It is convenient to drive there in 15 minutes. While visiting this Miln Dam Conservation Park, I found that park staff were busy in preparing for the re-opening of the park.

The first & hot summer day in Victoria Harbour 炎夏湖濱小維港

20 June 2012 is the first day of summer. It is a very hot sunny day. Temperature is 34C and reaches 43C with humidity. I started driving from Toronto at 9am, along Highway 400 to the north for 160km﹐, exited at Highway 12, passed Maubaushene, a small town visited early this month. Victoria Harbour, destination of this trip, is located on its west, a small town on the waterfront. Exiting Highway 12 came to the Park Street, the main street from south to north, up to the lake shore.

Under the roof in Hong Kong 香港屋簷下

Hong Kong public housing estates located across Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories and outlying islands, are provided by the Hong Kong government for the public to lead an affordable and good environmental living. This is what the general public is longing for their best homes. Under the roof of the public housing estates, one will have a sense of tranquility, relaxation and peace.

City pulse in Mongkok 旺角之城市脈搏

In Hong Kong, Mongkok is a famous city pulse in Kowloon district. In the city, you will feel the prosperity of a busy city: many shops and street activities have attracted many people and international visitors. I love to use compact camera for street snaps, recording places of dynamics and cultural features. This album was made from photos taken on 2 Dec 2011 with Ricoh Digital GR3. 

在香港，旺角是九龍市區其中一個著名的城市脈搏，身在其中，可以感受到鬧市的繁忙：商店臨立，街頭活動吸引了無數遊人，和外國遊客。我喜歡用小型相機作街頭抓拍，記錄各地的活動和文化特色。這輯照片於2011年12月2日用麗確數碼GR3小型柤機拍攝。

A sunny office 一室艷陽天

This afternoon I was in a doctor's office and was sitting aside with my friend. The big window looked like a big screen presenting a blue sky with warm sunshine and beautiful clouds. I was attracted by the doctor's side silhouette when he conversed with my friend while the sun cast light behind him. The glass on the table created a vivid reflection of the beautiful sky and his silhouette in the window. I have the Ricoh Digital GR3 with me everyday and therefore took these photos.

On the waterfront of Maubaushene 閑遊湖濱小鎮

Toronto's Hwy 400 is running from south to north for more than several thousand kilometers. There are many attraction spots along the highway. In a sunny morning on 31 May, I was driving from Toronto for 150km and exited at Hwy 12 to visit a small town Maubaushene. It was the largest mill town in 1860. Its industries and businesses and many of its workers' cabins, have now vanished.

Toogood Pond in May 五月的池塘

In a sunny afternoon in May, I went to Toogood Pond in Toronto for leisure walk and took scenic photos. I made the first visit to this pond last May for landscape photography. However I prefer autumn in Toronto because most of the leaves have not fallen and they look scattered.

Looking through the dandelion 看透蒲公英

In early spring, the dandelions are beautiful, as if grassland covered with a piece of gauze decorated with many small and yellow flowers. In a sunny afternoon I was strolling and taking photos at the Toogood Pond in Toronto with my Ricoh Digital GR3 compact camera. I found some dandelions along the trail in the bush.

Silhouettes in Yaumatei Fruit Market 油麻地菓欄的剪影

I was born and brought up in Hong Kong and had never been to the Yaumatie Fruit Market, a historical landmark in the area. In 2010 I returned to Hong Kong and made my first visit on 10 March. The structure of the market has hipped roof which is based on the traditional Chinese building style. There were many wholesale stores inside the market.

Beauty of colors in a small world 幻彩小世界

Today, I used my camera to capture the close-ups of the flowers, twigs and new buds. In a micro small world, I envisage the vitality of growth in the world of natural plants and their willpower of development. The beauty of fascinating colors is found in close-up shots through the camera lens. This has given me a lot of joy in creative photography.

Dandelions in a lazy afternoon 懶洋洋的午後小黃花

In early spring of April, dandelions are seen blooming everywhere, adding yellow colors on the green grassland. However, dandelion is the source of hay fever that annoys some people with allergy in Canada. In the lazy afternoons, I have spent my leisure to take some snapshots of these yellow flowers in Toronto. 

每年初春四月，是蒲公英盛開的季節，處處黃花遍地，為綠色的草地增添黃艷的色彩。但另一方面，這些美麗的小黃花，是花粉敏感症的元兇，也令部份加拿大人討厭。在懶洋洋的下午，我悠閒自得地拍下多倫多黃花遍地的景色。

 Nikon D200, Nikkor AF18-200mm f/3.5-5.6, Nikon GP-1 GPS

 Album:  Click for more photos 點擊更多照片 »

A scenic change on the road 景色蛻變

On 25 April 2012 I was so impressed by the dilapidated hut in the scene that the photo album of "A Wonderful Scene on the Road" was created.  Six days later on 1 May when I passed the same place again I found that the hut was demolished and replaced with a smaller one.  Lacking the "beauty of dilapidation", the scene is not so impressive as before.  With this thought, I feel that beautiful scene is short-lived and transient.  Our life is the same.  We have to cherish the present moment and love those around us. We do not know when is the time all these people and things will disappear in a short moment in front of us, just like falling petals and river of no return.  Therefore, pay more attention to things around and more care of your beloved ones.

A wonderful scene on the road 尋常路上現勝景

Driving along an ordinary road

I feel the morning sun is mild and pleasant

Catching my attention

is a winding trail

Flourishing grass

Small and yellow flowers

Filled both sides of the trail

All enjoying the breeze

                                 With the orchid scent

                                 And bathing in the gentle caress of the sun

Making Cherry Blossoms like Chinese painting 將櫻花入畫

On 19 April 2012, I went to High Park again to take photos of the cherry blossoms.  This time, I tried to make the photo of cherry look like traditional Chinese painting.  When taking photos, I already had a draft of a Chinese painting in my mind with which to select suitable flowers on the tree.  I selected those cherry looked like those in my "draft painting".

Creation of an artistic photo 創作一幀優美的照片

Yesterday, I went for a coffee with a friend.  Our chat focused on the photography technique.  Recently, I have posted the "Cherry Blossoms in High Park" which was well received by friends.  I have taken 600 photos within 7 hours in the park.  Some of my friends also went there but returned without avail.  They said that there were not many things for photography.  Why is it that in the same place one could take many photos whereas some other could not?  In my opinion, they are lacking three senses:  observation, creativity, aesthetics.

Cherry Blossoms in High Park 櫻花綻放峭寒春

The early spring presents to photographers a fresh scene;
The willow twigs half yellow and half tender green.
When High Park's covered with blooming flowers,
Then it would be the visitors' busiest hours.

It was still cold in spring and rain had come for a few days.  As the weather changed better though cloudy, I could go ahead to see cherry blossoms in High Park in Toronto.

Tree of Life 生命樹

There was a tree at the street corner

It was strong and tall with wonderful shape

It was called 'Tree of Life' 

Qing Dynasty's Imperial Exam System 清代科舉展

On 30 November 2011, I visited the Exhibition of the Imperial Examination of Qing Dynasty in Hong Kong Museum of History.  The exhibition displayed many historical archives of the imperial examination system.  I was most interested in the examination questions, examination papers of the candidates, the golden scroll of the name list of the successful candidates in the imperial examination.

Capturing displayed photos 拍攝展覽照片

In travel, I like to visit museums to learn about the cultural, historical and social custom of the country.  If permitted, visitors may use camera to capture the displayed items.  In general, it is not allowed to use camera flash in order to prevent color changes affecting the exhibit or photos.  However, it is not easy to take a straight and balanced displayed photo.