馬灣之天與地 Ma Wan: Heavens & Earth

Ma Wan, I am longing for you!
We met 40 years ago
When I was a junior school student.
Thereafter, we departed to different places.
You were in Hong Kong,
I was in Toronto.

湖景晨霧 A Misty Morning in Oastler Lake

Oastler Lake, 220km north of Toronto, is a beautiful small lake in Ontario where the Oasfler Lake Provincial Park is located. Last summer in August, I had spent 2 days camping in the Provincial Park for landscape photography. I was deeply enchanted by the morning mist in the lake. That morning, I got up at 5:30am to capture the glimmer of dawn and the mist along the Oasfler Lake Drive.

維港貌變 Changing Face of the Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong

In 1988, I left Hong Kong to emigrate to Canada. It was until 2007 that I returned and saw the changing face of the Victoria Harbour. Our familiar landmarks of the Star Ferry Pier, Black's Pier and Queen's Pier had gone. Hong Kong’s hunger for growth had reclaimed for land along the waterfront in Central and Wanchai Districts, causing the beautiful Victoria Harbour narrower and deformed.

石與藝有何不同？

作者﹕許鐵民（香港國際壽山石協會秘書長）



荷葉青蛙

「石迎知音客，藝獻鑑賞家」是筆者撰以自娛的得意對聯，亦藉此反映當前壽山石市場狀況。顯而易見，亮麗的各種名石輕易地迎來眾多知音，然而藝術卻需要更高層次的深入探討方能使人領會。

賣藝不賣身

作者﹕許鐵民（香港國際壽山石協會秘書長）

貴為中國四大名石之首的壽山石，其發源地福州市的絕大部份業內人士，因深受傳統「三坑論」相關書籍先入為 主所影響，以致在判斷石刻品價值時，均以石種名氣，以及石材優劣作為依據。久而久之，日常主要話題亦離不開各式各樣的珍貴石種；自然而然，不少從商者更加樂於採用價高罕見的名石作為招徠，以謀取較高利潤，而部份雕刻者則借助名石作為抬高身價的手段，以奪取名利雙收的身份地位。

重返網誌之緣 On Resuming Blogging

On Wed, 25 Jan 2012  LKY from Hong Kong wrote:

Dear Bok,
With thanks for sharing your photos.
Many photos you posted on blog are with【﹗】i.e. Not available. Any chance to view them?

Best wishes
L K Y     
2012/1/25



Dear LKY:

Thanks for your email on Jan 25.

I created the blog in March 2009 out of fun and thereafter just put in a few posts with photos taken in Toronto and Hong Kong. I also helped my friend Tim to post his essays on 'Chinese Stones'. That was the time I started my blog. However, this had only lasted for a while and finally stopped as I began to manage my orchestra, concerts and came back to Hong Kong for performance in 2000. As I came back to Hong Kong quite often, I eventually resumed my old hobby of photography that was developed since my adolescence, the film era in photography.  The era of digital photography has come more than 10 years and made photography much easier and convenient than before. Whilst in Hong Kong, I took scenic photos of historical sites as I enjoyed reminiscing very much! 

I love traveling especially taking short or half day trips in Toronto. In the past 2 years, I have been traveling around and visiting places of attraction in Ontario to take landscape photos. I shared my photo albums and joy of photography with a few friends of similar interest in Hong Kong and Toronto.  They have been giving me comment and encouragement on my photographic initiative.   Thanks, especially Simeon, Clement, Anna, Johnny, Jeff and Derek.

Your recent email came on time to remind me of reactivating my blog again. I think it is more appropriate to make this a photoblog with reminiscence of my lives in Hong Kong, Toronto and Ontario at large. I feel that human life is like traveling in many different types of journey: careers, dreams and human relationships etc. I focus my blog more on my past, passion, events with images via the use of my camera. I believe that a good photo is better than a thousand words. Therefore I have fixed the missing photos in my blog as you wished and put in my photo albums again with annotation of my passion in each picture. I prefer to use both English and Chinese languages in my blog but this may not be necessarily a direct translation though.

Finally, I have finished redesigning my blog and made it active again on Jan 25, 2012. In the past 3 weeks, I saw many new friends and thank those who spent time on visiting my blog and in browsing my albums perhaps some may be out of their curiosity. Although my photography skill still has room for advancement, I would like to share my experience in creativity through these photos. Some of them may look raw and immature, but all these were created out of my sincerity, passions and reminiscence with joy of meeting friends all over the world.

Once again, thank you for your reminder. Your support and encouragement have made my journey continue and hope that the journal will be more substantial, informative, interesting and meaningful in the near future.

Regards,

Peter

======================================================

L K Y﹕

謝謝1月25曰的電郵。

我在2009年3月因興趣而建立這個網誌。我放了幾個帖子，都是在多倫多和香港拍攝的照片，也幫好友貼上有關壽山石的文章，祇此而已。不久便停止了，因為我在2000年開始忙於管理樂團、籌辦音樂會和返港演出事宜。這時，我開始重拾少年時代攝影的嗜好，當時正好是膠卷攝影的時代。數碼攝影的時代已有十多年，因此攝影比以前來得更容易和方便。由於我經常返港，我利用留港期間，拍了不少歷史地標的風景照，皆因我愛懷舊。

我也喜愛在多倫多作短程或半日遊。在過去兩年，我遊歷安省不少著名景點進行風景獵影。我將照片與幾位在香港和多倫多的朋友分享。他們都經常對我的攝影熱忱給予意見和鼓勵。對他們的好意，深表謝意，特別是Simeon、Clement、Anna、Johnny、Jeff 和 Derek。

你最近的電郵來得着時，提醒我要重開網誌。我覺得建立照片網誌較為恰當，這是我對香港、多倫多甚至安省生活的一種情懷。我覺得人生猶如行走在不同的旅程：如事業、理想、與人際關係等。我的網誌會集中攝影來表達我的過去、內心情懷、見聞和影像。我相信一張好照片勝過千言萬語。所以我依你意願，已把網誌失去的照片整理妥當。我也把每張照片加上説明。我的網誌會用中芵文雙語言，但這不一定是用直譯的方式來發表。

最後，我終於將網誌重新設計並於2012年1月25曰恢復啟用。在過去的三周，我見到很多新朋友。我要多謝我的網客和可能因好奇而到來瀏覽網誌的朋友。我的攝影技巧仍有待提高，但我願意分享我的攝影經驗。部份照片可能粗疏和未成熟，但這些都是出自我的誠意、情感、追懷和與世界各地朋友會晤的一種樂趣。

再次多謝你的提示。你的支持和鼓勵使我繼續我的旅程。希望我的日誌很快能更充實、富訊息、有趣味和具意義。

祝安康！

卜利泉

安省400公路的晨霧 A Misty Morning on Hwy 400

On Oct 11, 2011, I went to Barrie to take some photos of the maple leaves in fall. It was rare for me to drive on Hwy 400 at 6:30am in early morning. This time, I was glad to have my photo buddie Derek to go with me. I could not accomplish this album without his kindness to be my driver. It was not easy to take photos inside the car as the photo composition was limited within the window frames and by the driving speed of 100km.

情人節快樂: 愛的真貌 Happy Valentine: The Look of Love

Love scenes captured in Scarborough Bluffs Park, Canada.
這輯照片均在多倫多士嘉堡懸崖公園拍攝。

Nikon D200, D40X, AF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6

Album: 愛的真貌 The Look of Love

重訪安省九號公路 Revisit the Durham Road 9 in Ontario

In a sunny afternoon of Sept 11, 2011, I visited the Ontario 'Backroad' again: the Durham Road 9, also known as Ganaraska Road. It is 60 KM east of Toronto and runs eastward 50km to Rice Lake. Along the way there are many picnic sites, general stores, gas stations and even a few fast food stores carrying on an Ontario tradition that is generations old!

大澳黑白的情懷 Tai O in Black & White

I presented this album in black and white in order to restore the plain and simple environment of the water village: Tai O in Hong Kong. This will easily bring your memories back to Tai O in the 60s.

為了保留大澳水鄉的樸素環境，我把這輯照片以黑白顯現，更容易使人懷念60年代大澳的風情。

Nikon D200、AF18-200mm f/3.5-5.6、AF70-300mm f/3.5-5.6、Nikon GP-1 GPS、Ricoh Digital GR3 28mm f/1.9。

Click to open Album: 大澳黑白的情懷 Tai O in Black & White》

黑白湖景 Harwood in Black & White

On Sept 22, 2011, I revisited Harwood, a small town by the Rice Lake. I took these photos at the dock and presented them in black and white to emphasize the beauty of the contrasting lights. Photo device: Nikon D40X , Ricoh Digital GR3 compact camera, AF-DX18-200mm f/3.5~5.6, Geotag photos with gps4Cam software.

多倫多雪景 Toronto in Snow

On the 5th of January 2011, the snow whirled in soft flakes while I was driving home. I thought I could learn to take some photos of the falling snow in the city. These are only a few selection of the snowy scenes of Scarborough I have taken. Photo equipments: Nikon D200, AF18-200mm lens, Nikon GP-1 GPS, Lumix G10.

樹的四季贊歌 Praise of the Seasonal Trees

..In the past two years, I have been taking scenic photos across Toronto and have a feeling of close affection with trees in different places.  The words: "spring rain", "summer sun", "autumn leaves" and "winter flakes" are used to depict the changes and combination of the nature and seasons.  They easily arouse people's feeling: happiness, anger, sadness and joy. 

湖畔夕陽 Sunset at Harwood

It was a sunny afternoon of Sept 18, 2011.  This was the 4th time I spent one and a half hour driving to Durham Road 9.  This time, my destination was Harwood, 120km east of Toronto, a small town just besides Rice Lake at the end of the Road 9.  I parked on the roadside and saw many anglers.  My purpose of the trip was taking sunset photos.  It was already 6:30pm.

瀑布水花天上來 Falling waters from Niagara Falls

Photos taken on Nov 05, 2011 at Niagara Falls with three musicians from the Chinese Central Conservatory of Music of China: Erhu soloist, Professor TIAN Zaili, Pipa soloist, Associate Professor WU Qiong, Guzheng soloist, Associate Professor ZHU Lei.

Courtesy: TIAN Zaili, WU Qiong, ZHU Lei

水影 Reflections of Water

My recent visit to the Ontario old road, the Durham Road 9 has given me ample photographic scenes and opportunity. Road 9 extends to the east and eventually ends at Rice Lake, a beautiful lake just 100km east of Toronto. Arriving the shore of the lake, I opened my eyes in search of light and reflections making these photos look more peculiar.

Photo equipment: Nikon D40X, AF-DX 18-200mm zoom lens

Album: 水影 Reflections of Water

小河淌水 Running River in Edwards Garden

It was a sunny afternoon on Oct 08, 2011.  Temperature was 28 C.  I went to Edwards Garden to take photos of the river in the garden.

2011年10月8日，是一個陽光普照晴朗的星期六，氣溫高達28度。下午到多倫多的Edwards Garden 拍攝小河流水。

Nikon D200、AF-DX 18-200mm、AF 12-24mm、Cokin P121 GD 減光濾鏡。

Album: 小河淌水 Running River in Edwards Garden

風雨欲來 Just Before the Thunder Storm

Today is June 8, 2011, a very hot afternoon with temperature at 38C.  At 7pm, I went to Scarborough Bluffs Park with my friend for sunset photography.  Although the weather was terribly hot, we saw many visitors and families getting together for enjoyment and BBQ in the park.  We knelt on the rocky beach and started setting up the camera.  This was my shortest time in photography in my record.

南生圍近貌 Changing Face of Nam Sang Wai

My impression of Nam Sang Wai water village came from the movies.  In 2010 I came here but had never reached the river.  This year I came again for seeing the small dock.  Owing to the rapid urbanization, the scene of Nam Sang Wai was unlike the past.  I am afraid that the unique scene of the water village and the communting boat in Nam Sang Wai will disappear forever very soon.

青衣自然徑 Tsing Yi Nature Trails

青衣島上的青衣自然徑，環繞青衣島西北邊緣而走。全程3.5公里，起點近青華苑的青衣西路，終點在長宏邨。沿途多個山頭分別建有四個紀念亭，為觀賞青馬大橋和汀九橋的最佳位置。而第二號亭在山之巔，提供360度觀景角度，也是拍攝日落的熱門景點。

攝影器材：Nikon D200、AF18-200mm f/3.5-5.6、AF12-24mm f/4、Ricoh Digital GR3、Nikon GP-1 GPS。

Click to open album: 青衣自然徑 Tsing Yi Nature Trails

大澳：東方威尼斯 Tai O - Eastern Venice

2011年12月7日往大澳拍攝水鄉風貌。以前的木橋已被鐵橋取代。用繩索拉動橫水渡已不復見，代之是電動小艇。這輯照片希望能保留大澳水鄉原來樸素的面貌。

攝影器材：Nikon D200相機、AF18-200mm f/3.5-5.6、AF70-300mm f/3.5變焦鏡、Nikon GP-1 GPS、Ricoh Digital GR3小型相機。

Album: 大澳：東方威尼斯 Tai O - Eastern Venice

大霧山之貌 View from Tai Mo Shan

On 9 December 2011, I visited Tai Mo San (lit. Foggy Mountain) in Hong Kong.  It was a sunny and windy afternoon with temperature at 8C.  Over there the range of mountains looked beautiful in the blue sky.  The town of Tsuen Wan was seen afar and the Tsing Ma Bridge appeared in vague distant behind the mountains. 

鹽田梓之旅 A Trip to Yim Tin Tsai Village

By the tree I watch closely the saltpan,
Up on the hill I look over Kau Sai Wan.
In the breeze slender reeds dance gently,
Across the sea scenic hills look misty.

Recently, I watched a TV documentary in Toronto about Yim Tin Tsai Village.  It is an old village of Hakka dialect, built in more than 200 years on an island near the town of Sai Kung, Hong Kong.

萬里長空 High Above the Sky

Sunset in Scarborough: using Nikon D200 with Nikkor AF 300mm f/2.8 lens

從一張照片想起… Memories from a Photo…

【Behind the Image】
On Dec 21, 2011, I had a mountain hike and arrived Our Lady of Joy Abbey on Lantao Island in Hong Kong.  At the entrance was a long bridge with dense of plants growth.  The ground was marked with "1960" .  It was already more than 50 years. 

Using gps4Cam in Photography

These two photos were taken last year when I was traveling to Yuen Long and Lau Fou Shan in Hong Kong with friends.