Street photography in Hong Kong: a gwei lo's guide to locations and techniques
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Navigating Hong Kong’s streets with a camera can be overwhelming. With its dense crowds, ever-changing light, and endless movement, it’s easy to feel lost in the chaos. But in those moments, when you find a perfect frame—a flurry of layered colours in a market or the golden hour light hitting a minibus driver just perfectly—you realise the beauty of street photography here lies in the unpredictability.
After seven years in Hong Kong—photographing its streets intensively for four of those years—I'll share practical insights, technical tips and street photography composition tips for capturing this metropolis. Whether you're a beginner looking for candid street scenes or a visitor looking to document your journey, this guide will help you navigate Hong Kong's unique visual landscape.
In this article, I'll talk about why I love Hong Kong, share some famous photographers' work, show you my favourite places to take photos, and give you some helpful tips.
Tsim Sha Tsui, 2021, Jared Poole
Why Hong Kong is perfect for street photography
Hong Kong offers unique opportunities for street photography. The city's structure, its mix of old and new architecture, and the daily activities of its residents create interesting scenes for photographers to document.
An opportunity for different visual languages
Sun Rays, Hong Kong, 1959, Fan Ho, Courtesy Blue Lotus Gallery
What fascinates me about Hong Kong's street photography scene is how it continues to evolve with the city itself. While masters like Fan Ho captured a Hong Kong that was transforming from a colonial outpost to an urban centre, today's photographers document the intersection of tradition and modernity that defines contemporary Hong Kong. This leads to a grunginess that people often describe as “cyberpunk”.
Fan Ho, often called the "Cartier-Bresson of the East," revolutionised street photography here during the 1950s and 60s with his masterful use of light, shadow, and geometric composition. His work in "Hong Kong Yesterday" captured the city during a pivotal transition period, preserving moments of quiet humanity amid rapid urbanization. His meticulous approach—sometimes waiting hours for perfect light conditions—established a benchmark that continues to influence photographers today.
Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 1987, Greg Girard, Courtesy Blue Lotus Gallery
Many contemporary Hong Kong street photographers follow Fan Ho's contemplative style. They employ careful composition and patient observation, seeking decisive moments where light and human elements align. While working with digital tools and colour, many maintain Fan Ho's commitment to finding poetry in Hong Kong's urban landscape. Today's photographers document the intersection of tradition and modernity that defines contemporary Hong Kong.
Not all Hong Kong street photographers pursue the same aesthetic, however. In contrast to Fan Ho's carefully composed, often poetic images, photographers like Chan Wai-kwong embrace a grittier, more immediate approach. Where Fan Ho sought beauty in light and shadow, Chan captured Hong Kong's raw energy through vibrant photographs of ordinary people, prioritising emotional impact over compositional perfection.
Similarly, Greg Girard's work in Hong Kong during the 1980s and 1990s captured the city's neon-lit streets and shadowy urban landscapes, often focusing on the transitional nature of the territory before the 1997 handover. His distinctive colour palette and nocturnal documentation created a visual record that feels both historical and hauntingly timeless. Some of his images may also evoke the “cyberpunk” aesthetic often associated with Hong Kong.
These different approaches remind us that Hong Kong's streets offer multiple visual languages for those willing to look beyond the familiar. Whether you're drawn to Fan Ho's contemplative compositions, Chan Wai-kwong's raw spontaneity, or Greg Girard's atmospheric nocturnal scenes, the city provides endless interpretative possibilities.
The visual richness of Hong Kong
Pok Fu Lam Fire Dragon Festival, 2024, Jared Poole
This photographic diversity stems from Hong Kong's remarkable visual density. What makes the city particularly rewarding for photographers is the incredible variety packed into a relatively small area. Within minutes of walking, you can transition between drastically different environments, each offering unique photographic opportunities. The city presents a wealth of subjects and scenes that can satisfy almost any photographic interest:
Street markets like Ladies' Market in Mong Kok or Temple Street Night Market provide vibrant colours, interesting characters, and authentic local culture. The energy of vendors hawking their wares creates dynamic shooting opportunities throughout the day.
Architectural contrasts abound where colonial-era buildings stand beside ultra-modern skyscrapers. The juxtaposition of old temples against glass banking towers tells Hong Kong's story of transformation in a single frame. This can make for good architectural photography, but that’s for another blog.
Cultural festivals offer spectacular photographic moments throughout the year. The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance during Mid-Autumn Festival, with its dragon illuminated by thousands of incense sticks, creates dramatic scenes of light, smoke, and movement that challenge and reward photographers. These celebrations provide windows into Hong Kong's living heritage and community spirit.
Urban storytelling unfolds through everyday rituals—from early morning tai chi in parks to the evening rush hour—showcasing Hong Kong's unique urban rhythms and providing authentic moments to capture. These everyday scenes often reveal the city's soul better than any landmark.
The dramatic topography, where dense urban development meets lush mountains and blue waters, offers compositions that are uniquely Hong Kong. Few cities in the world provide such striking natural-urban contrasts within minutes of each other.
So why do I love it?
I've outlined the visual variety and different ways to shoot in Hong Kong, but what draws me to it personally?
My connection stems from both my background and the city's unique character.
As someone of mixed heritage, my relationship with Hong Kong's culture is complex. While I learned about various traditions and superstitions growing up, I never fully experienced them in their authentic context. Take Chinese New Year, for example. While family dinners and lion dances were familiar to me, experiencing the flower markets and seeing lion dances performed for their traditional purpose—bringing good luck—rather than just as entertainment, offered a completely new perspective.
On a more day-to-day level, Hong Kong's eateries offered an entirely new world to explore. Cha Chaan Tengs (Cantonese diners) "exist" in Sydney (where I'm from) too, but they strictly follow Australian customs—napkins are provided, you don't share tables with strangers, and servers would never dream of dipping their fingers in your drink while serving it. Moreover, Hong Kong's Cha Chaan Tengs have a unique character that makes them captivating subjects for photography. Unfortunately, many of these more interesting—meaning older—establishments are shuttering their doors, creating an urgent need to capture their essence before they disappear forever.
Beyond the cultural aspects, I love Hong Kong's convenience. Most residents can step outside their building and immediately find themselves at street level, minutes away from bustling markets. Though I live in the hills, a quick 15-minute bus ride takes me to the heart of one of Hong Kong's busiest districts.
The city's ultra-efficient public transport system makes shooting all-day easy. If one location isn't working, you can just follow the signs to the nearest MTR station and quickly reach a completely different part of Hong Kong.
The city offers the complete range of aesthetics. From the gritty, character-filled streets of Sham Shui Po (one of the older districts) to the gleaming skyscrapers of Central (the financial hub), photographers can find endless inspiration. Traditional villages can be found conveniently next to MTR stations, and though beaches require a bit more travel time, they're easily accessible by public transport. Hong Kong has it all.
My favourite street photography locations in Hong Kong
These are some of my favourite (and more regular) districts to shoot in. Every now and then I’d mix it up and go somewhere further out, but I find that these places are great for when I’m feeling indecisive. They’re each pretty big and form part of my regular route.
1. Sham Shui Po: the old town
Grunge. That is what you get in Sham Shui Po.
Sham Shui Po, 2024, Jared Poole
Sham Shui Po is one of the oldest and densest districts in Hong Kong, with it’s residents being on the older side. It’s notorious for being where a lot of the cage homes are located.
During the day you have bustling markets, packed with life (and sometimes death, there’s a lot of butchers) unfolding before your eyes.
At night, it transforms into something completely different. Neon signs flicker, and the whole vibe becomes more cyberpunk. The streets are relatively empty compared to the day, making it perfect for moody night photography.
Some key spots in Sham Shui Po:
Apliu Street: Known for its electronics market during the day, but the closed shutters at night create interesting textures. This is great for shooting people. You can get some layered compositions through the stalls that line the street, or in the plethora of people walking through the middle.
Pei Ho Street Municipal Services Building: This is a wet market on the bottom two floors and a cooked food market on the top floor. The colours in here aren’t as wild as you would think, but the shadows creates a moodiness which can make for interesting photos. I like to wander the bottom floor (because I like fish), but be warned the ground will be wet so don’t wear open-toed shoes!
What I love about Sham Shui Po is how it provides endless opportunities for raw and candid street photography. Unlike more tourist-oriented areas, people here are just living their lives. The district hasn't been sanitised for visitors, making it ideal for authentic moments.
Best times to shoot here are early morning when the markets are setting up (around 6-7am), at golden hour during the winter when the light runs parallel to the streets, or for street photography at night when the neon comes alive after sunset. Midday can be challenging due to harsh shadows from the dense buildings, but the crowded streets during these hours can still yield interesting shots.
One thing to note is that while most people in Sham Shui Po won’t pay any mind to the camera, some of the stalls are not entirely set up legally, so they will not be happy if you take photos of them. Most of these are in Tai Nan Street between Nam Cheong St and Pei Ho St.
2. Tsim Sha Tsui: the glitz and the glam… and the tourists
On the other end of the spectrum, I go to Tsim Sha Tsui for the waterfront and all the tourists.
Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) contrasts with Sham Shui Po's grittiness. Here, you'll find luxury shopping malls alongside bustling streets filled with tourists, creating diverse shooting opportunities. The district's waterfront location offers iconic views of Hong Kong Island's skyline, making for a great background in pictures.
Key spots in TST include:
Victoria Harbour Promenade: Perfect for capturing the skyline, especially during golden and blue hours. The constant flow of tourists and locals provides endless opportunities for layered candid shots. It’s difficult to not get at least two points of interest along the promenade. One of my favourite sections along the promenade is outside the Starbucks near TST East, where tourists line up to take boats.
Chungking Mansions: A microcosm of global culture, this building complex offers fascinating glimpses into Hong Kong's multicultural side. The narrow corridors and busy entrance area create interesting compositions. Most people are friendly, but you’re better off trying to get to know people and having a chat before pointing a camera at them.
Nathan Road: This main thoroughfare is excellent for shooting at night with its abundance of neon signs and constant flow of people. One of my favourite things to do is stand at the crossing outside Chunking Mansions and shoot as people cross the road or pass by. The area outside iSquare often has installations which can sometimes make for interesting backdrops.
The ferry terminals: catch the ferry! You can catch a ferry to either Central or Wan Chai, and there are endless photos for candid photography on the ferry, especially at golden hour.
The best times to shoot in TST vary depending on your goals. Mornings are relatively quiet, offering clean shots of architecture and early risers. Sunset and evening hours (particularly blue hour) bring the most dramatic lighting for skyline shots and will have the most people out, while late night presents opportunities for neon-lit street scenes.
What makes TST particularly interesting is how you can capture raw human emotion - from the excitement of tourists taking their first photos of the skyline to the quiet determination of local vendors. The contrast between its polished exterior and the pockets of authentic local life you can still find in its back alleys creates countless opportunities for emotional storytelling. The mix of tourists, locals, and expatriates creates a unique energy that's distinctly different from other parts of Hong Kong.
3. Fortress Hill/North Point: the tradition and the harbour
North Point, 2024, Jared Poole
This is a recent favourite that I’ve found myself repeatedly going to over the past few weeks.
It's a mix of residential and commercial areas with a distinctly local feel. The streets here are filled with traditional shops, wet markets, and small restaurants that cater primarily to residents rather than tourists.
Key spots in this area include:
East Coast Park Precinct: This has been my draw to the area for the past few weekends. It’s been lively, with both workers coming through on boat and people playing. You are able to walk out on a breakwater to an exhaust vent where people often sit. Every now and then there will be an event here, but you have to be lucky. The government also recently opened the East Coast Boardwalk, which connects to North Point. Golden hour along here is sublime.
Java Road Market: A traditional wet market that offers authentic glimpses into local life. The narrow corridors and bustling atmosphere make for interesting compositions, especially in the morning when vendors are setting up.
Electric Road: The stretch between Fortress Hill and North Point stations is lined with local shops and restaurants. The mix of old signage and constant flow of people creates opportunities for candid street photography.
The best time to shoot here is during late afternoon (around 4-5pm in winter, later in summer) when the sunlight is golden. The morning rush hour also provides interesting scenes as locals go about their daily routines.
What makes this area special is its authenticity - it's a working-class neighbourhood that hasn't been sanitised for tourism. You'll find plenty of traditional shops, local eateries, and everyday scenes that capture the essence of Hong Kong life.
One thing to note is that this area can be quite crowded during rush hours, which can make it challenging to move around. However, these crowds can also add energy to your images if you're patient and observant.
The best part of it all is North Point has so many different modes of transport! You can catch the ding ding (the tram) and slowly make your way out, or you can catch a ferry back to Kowloon and keep shooting in Kowloon City!
4. Red herrings: places that seem cool but might be a bit difficult
There are always the places that sound amazing and then we get there and go “oh I thought there’d be more”. Here are some of those places for me (of course, your mileage may vary and this is really only applicable to how I shoot):
West Kowloon Cultural District: It’s a park, sure. Usually these places have plenty of action going on, but in Hong Kong the park’s dominated by tents and people just chilling. Sunset is nice here, though, and there are occasionally installations set up which could lead to some opportunities.
Central: The business district. Most of the time, people just rush from point A to point B. While you might capture some interesting shots during the weekday commute or lunch hour rush, I generally find it challenging to get compelling street photos here.
Tips for shooting in Hong Kong
What gear should I use?
In all honesty, you could get away with shooting nearly anything. I rock a film rangefinder with a wide angle lens, but I know lots of people who prefer to use 50mm+ on mirrorless bodies and get interesting photos. Clearly there will be stylistic differences, and I am not one to give any advice on shooting with a telephoto lens, but here is a video I enjoy by Ivan Chow on shooting in Hong Kong with a telephoto lens.
What I use personally:
Camera: A Leica M6 with a 35mm lens is my go-to setup. The quietness of a rangefinder is perfect for street photography, and 35mm gives me enough width without distortion. One advantage of shooting with a vintage camera is it’s a great conversation starter!
Film: I typically shoot ISO 400 speed films, usually Kodak Ultramax, Fujifilm 400 or Yes!Star Supreme 400. The flexibility of 400 ISO is great for most situations. I used to shoot motion picture film (Kodak Vision3 500T and Kodak Vision3 250D), but since Kodak is making is restricting supply I have made the jump.
Backup: I have a Leica CL as backup. Most people would probably have a small digital camera (a Ricoh GR3 or some sort of Fujifilm), but I have a film-only workflow so I don’t.
I don’t really have any film photography essentials, just having something which can record an image is key!
My typical general recommendations to keep you going throughout the day:
Weather-sealed gear is a plus during monsoon season.
Fast lenses (f/2 or faster) help in low-light situations, especially in narrow alleyways and at night.
A neck strap is probably better than a wrist strap as you can keep your camera in front of you in crowds.
Consider a compact setup - big cameras can make people uncomfortable and tire you out during long walks.
Remember, the best camera is the one you have with you. Many photographers capture amazing street photos in Hong Kong using just their smartphones.
In terms of sustenance, Hong Kong is the king of convenience. Unless you’re going to rural areas in New Territories, there’s a 7-eleven on every block and vending machines are fairly common too! There’s also public transport, restaurants and kiosks everywhere, so it is very difficult to go without the bare essentials.
When is the best time to shoot in Hong Kong?
In my experience, the ideal time to shoot in Hong Kong is February through April and September through November. December and January tend to be quite cold, while May through August are insanely hot and rainy.
The weather can be quite extreme during these periods. In summer, humidity levels can reach over 90%, making it challenging to protect your gear and stay comfortable while shooting. During the rainy season, you'll want to keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared with weather-sealed equipment or protection for your camera.
Challenges shooting in Hong Kong
People can be sensitive
While Hong Kong is generally photographer-friendly, some people may be uncomfortable with having their photo taken. I find this more so in residential areas or among older residents. How to photograph strangers on the street? I've found it helpful to be respectful, smile, and lower my camera if someone shows discomfort - there will always be other photo opportunities. If I’ve snapped the photo and they object, of course I will respect their wishes and not publish the photo.
Knowing who would be more open to having a candid photo taken comes with experience, but quite often you will find people are friendlier than they look and you can simply ask.
Sometimes street vendors can be sensitive about having their photos taken, especially in flea-market type areas. As mentioned above, there are some areas in Sham Shui Po where street vendors are particularly sensitive. However, one street away they will be perfectly okay with it.
Like most places, people here are generally non-confrontational. Though you might get sworn at (even if you don't understand the language), it's important to always shoot with intention and respect. I avoid photographing vulnerable individuals such as homeless people and sex workers, and I never photograph anyone in visible distress—they don't need a camera documenting their difficult moments. This principle is especially important when using flash!
Everything, everywhere, all at once
Complete chaos, 2024, Jared Poole
Hong Kong's streets are chaotic with their constant sensory input - the sounds, the smells, the visual chaos of signs and people moving in every direction. It's easy to get distracted and miss shots while trying to process everything happening around you. It’s difficult to compose interesting images which aren’t complete chaos. I've found that focusing on one element at a time (like following a single person through a crowd or watching for interesting light patterns) helps manage the sensory overload while still capturing meaningful moments.
My street photography composition tip? Try fishing for shots - find a compelling background or a single visual element like an interesting sign or advertisement, then wait for the right moment to compose your shot around it.
Sometimes, the overwhelming nature of Hong Kong's streets can work to your advantage - by embracing the chaos and looking for patterns within it, you can create images that capture the city's unique energy and spirit. The key is to stay patient and let the scenes unfold naturally before you.
Get shooting
After spending countless hours exploring Hong Kong's streets with my camera, I've come to appreciate how this city rewards persistence. The best shots often come when you least expect them, emerging from the countless moments of observation and waiting. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting out, Hong Kong's streets offer an endless canvas for creative expression – you just need to be ready when the moment presents itself.
The city's ever-changing nature means that even familiar locations can yield fresh perspectives and new stories to tell. I encourage you to explore beyond the locations I've mentioned, as Hong Kong has countless hidden corners waiting to be discovered through your lens. Just remember to stay observant, respect the locals, and most importantly, enjoy the process of documenting this incredible city.
Also I’ll be looking to update this at some point - any feedback on what to improve or what else you’d like to see would most certainly be welcome!