Abroad

Ireland was the first European country I wanted to visit, huge part of it contributes to the natural scenery and the castle remains. I wanted to see the straight high cliff by the frigid ocean and the castles of many types here and there. They were ironically just part of the agenda while the main one was to attend a concert of an Irish singer. It all did not happen.

One of the most beautifully named places on the map of Hong Kong has to be the Cape d’Aguilar. If you do not mention about the location, people would have thought an European destination or even somewhere that produces wine. That’s just the opening words, the attractions there are just as beautiful. It’s located on the southeastern tip of the main island. If I say I’ve found almost everything I wanted to see from the Ireland by a 30-min bus ride, would it be a surprise?

There is our one of our five surviving pre-war lighthouses (since 1875) and there’s the stunning high cliffs by the frigid sea. The cliffs were so high it gave me goosebumps. The other part of the cape is a rocky gulf where huge white waves rush into, creating a scenery where anyone just want to snap happy. And the climbable Crab Cave by the sea was a bonus if you wished make yourself look like a conqueror.

The Cape d’Aguilar reminds me of a theme park or an outdoor version of museum. It’s an adventure if you begin the journey from Shek O where it required some climbing/hiking. It’s also known for the grey area for trespassing when reaching the d’Aguilar Peak.  It’s educational as a historic and geographic tour.

It’d be a surprise if you do not wait for the sunset. Well, make sure you have enough time to walk back to the bus stop. There’s hardly any lamp post on the way back.

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My meaning of home has grown stronger and stronger in this past year or so. You have to love and respect of your home and its people. The complaining and comparing just won’t help, especially when annoying the others.

On a recent wedding invitation of an ex-colleague friend in Hong Kong, who we used to worked in the same office during my last few years in the States. We haven’t really contacted for many years. But he knows I love analogue photography and thought I’d be the perfect person to take down some wedding photos on film. I was given one of his 120 cameras to shoot with during the ceremony. That was my first time ever to play with one. 10 frames per roll is totally my thing!

I met my this friend’s sister at the banquet and had a super brief conversation after introducing myself. She realised many of us (HongKongese who had studied abroad) cannot secure well-paid jobs or advance in their field, results into depression. I told her because they’re still mixed up with thoughts of whom they want to be. The advantages the others think we have are not standing out from many many many other graduates from abroad, and that’s staggering year by year adding to those who’d studied international schools, the returning American/Canadian-born Cantonese, and even the expats. I’m unfortunately one of these live cases she’s mentioning (I’m sure she did not mean it). The only difference is I’m satisfied with life just like that at the moment. You just have to accept in order to move on.

It’s fair to say, studying abroad really means a temporary escape from our existing local system and to possibly delay the anticipated career decision.

Instax Mini

The last time you hear me mention much about my own cameras was over a year ago. I settled with my X2 camera and sort of married her. I’m still using it few times a week for my working material – the daily life stuff. I even used it more than a few occasions during rainy weather. I know it’s got lots of mileage ahead of me.

I want to experience a new way of photography. I’d like to play, I like photography. It’s me. The Instax mini format filled in the gap for me. It’s film, it’s small, the Fuji Instax Mini 90 has got enough reasons for me to explore with. You can visit their official web and see for yourself.

While I’m not here to review camera, I’m taking this as a documentary of how I see myself toward the Instax. My intention to get this camera and 7 packs of film was to really see what I can do with it. I hoped to have tangible photos with my girlfriend. Until I realized I’ve already messed up perhaps 10 films out of 3 packs (30 total) for my personal stuff. The rest were photographs with my girlfriend, and they ended up alright.

I was well informed that the Instax Mini shoots great portraits. I don’t doubt it. But to shoot just about anything except human with the (preferred) portrait orientation all seemed to be a hell of a challenge for me. My framing and distance are totally off. I thought it has a viewfinder and works just like a rangefinder, however it’s more complex than you’d imagine a plastic toy can do. It’s just odd. Ever learn a new language? This is how I feel with it. All begin from zero. The camera does have a landscape mode to extend the focus to infinity which you might thought landscape should not be a problem. I just do not believe it can do anything spectacular with it when the photo size is mini. I still firmly believe it’s just because i’m new to it after only two days of use. Time and travel will educate me the use of it, sooner or later. I already see it replacing my handy cellphone snaps of my personal life photography with my Instax.

The limitations do give me hard time. ISO800 film, no delete button, no LCD, cannot magnify photo to see more detail, no pin sharp focus, no editing, not easily shared to online…I’m up for it. 10 films per pack teaches me not to shoot just about anything. There’s the price to pay when missing the shot. I understand the fact that it’s especially a great camera when you have a life companion, family, travel; the personal stuff so to speak. There’re moments you just want to hold them in your hand and share it along. I just do not want my precious moments to be buried in my PC. I guess that’s what the unprinted megapixels can’t give us these days?