Time flies. Have you ever considered that the familiar places we know could vanish one day? Street photography can be a good tool to build beautiful and precious memories.

The College Multimedia Production Team (UCMPT) organised a “Street Photography Workshop – Central & Sheung Wan in Glimpse,” and invited Mr Miles Yuen, a street photography, to guide the photography enthusiasts in the workshop. The goal was to explore the stories behind historical sites and small local shops in Hong Kong through interviews with residents and local shop owners, capturing precious moments through street photography.

Starting from the Western Market, a historical site located in Sheung Wan, Miles shared street photography techniques and emphasised proper etiquette during interviews with residents. He also explained the impact of social changes on the Western Market neighborhood. Participants had the opportunity to engage in in-depth conversations with one of the longstanding shop owners in Western Market, gaining insights into how development has affected the fabric shops and relevant social issues. Understanding the residents’ stories allowed participants to capture compelling photos.

As participants strolled through the streets of Central and Sheung Wan, they meticulously recorded a diverse array of scenes: bustling pedestrians and cars, shop cats, and interactions among neighbours. Participants also had the privilege of interviewing a seal engraver, gaining up-close insights into the intangible cultural heritage of seal carving technique. Through this experience, they learned to appreciate the artistry and significance of traditional craftsmanship.

The final stop led to the Central Market Revitalisation Project. Alongside exploring the market, the instructor arranged a sharing session, encouraging participants to exchange the photos they had just taken and share their most memorable stories and observations. Students were encouraged to discover more hidden stories of people in Hong Kong.