CFPxJCH Photowalk in Sham Shui Po

Hi Film Friends! It’s been awhile since the last update to my travel blog. I’ve been in a bit of a creative rut and haven’t been very productive so this blogpost has been sitting in the drafts for awhile. Also, the first post of my series photographing artists called Art Vignettes is up now. Check it out if you haven’t! Anyway, this blogpost is going to be a bit of a break from both my travels in India and aesthetics. It will be in black and white (With some bonus colour photos). If you’ve been following me for awhile, you know I seldom shoot on B&W film and it was a real challenge for me.

As you can see from the title, this blogpost will be about a photowalk I attended while I was in Hong Kong last May. I was scrolling through Instagram, as you do, and I came across Camera Film Photo’s (CFP) post about a photowalk organised in collaboration with Bellamy Hunt of Japan Camera Hunter (JCH). It was going to be held on the day I was flying back, but I had an afternoon flight so I was contemplating on whether I could make it. Thanks to the team manning CFP’s Instagram, I managed to find a way to the airport really quickly after the photowalk.

Anyway, without further ado, onto the photowalk.

On the day of the photowalk, I made my way to Sham Shui Po after checking in my luggage at the Airport Express Station in Kowloon. Basically, you can check in at the AES in town and go shop/eat/explore around until before your flight. What an excellent idea! Coming up from Sham Shui Po station, I looked around for a big group of people with film cameras. That was relatively easy. But I’m actually a very nervous and introverted person, so it took me awhile to say hello to the group.

Vishal was so welcoming and helpful, handing out the roll of film that came with the photowalk, JCH’s Street Pan 400. I seldom shoot B&W film but I have a very specific preference for B&W photos with high contrast and slight grain and the Street Pan delivered. I must admit, I fell in love with B&W photography a little since that day. Anyway, to read more about the specs of the film, JCH says it best here.

Somehow I had a light leak on my first two frames.

After everyone had received their film and loaded their cameras, Bellamy recommended that we shot the film at box speed (ISO 400) and CFP would have the film pushed by a stop while developing. I think that this was to enhance the naturally high contrast and graininess of the film (An effect I really like). He also mentioned that the overcast sky was perfect for this film as the highlights wouldn’t be too blown out. Here’s a handy explanation of the pushing/pulling process.

Splitting into smaller groups of 2-4, we set about Sham Shui Po with our cameras to try to capture one of Hong Kong’s oldest and poorest neighbourhoods. I was paired up with Nick. With Tony and Andy joined us after bumping into each other a few times on the street. Vishal and Bellamy were rotating between groups and offering tips on street photography which I thought was a nice touch.

How many of you guys have stood by the rubbish bin and rushing to finish your drink because you don’t want to hold the empty carton in your hands? I know I have.

On the trip, I picked up a 35mm f/2 lens for my Nikon FM from Showa, a film store based in Hong Kong. They also provide developing and scanning services which I’ve used while in Hong Kong. The photos will be up in another post though. Anyway, I am quite glad that I picked up the 35mm lens as I find 50mm lenses too tight for my liking. Especially in a place like Hong Kong where so many things are happening at once, you really need a wide lens to really capture the soul of the place. The 35mm has never left my Nikon FM since. Which do you prefer? 35mm or 50mm?

Missed the focus here as I was afraid of this uncle scolding me. But the 35mm lens made it somewhat usable.

Cupboard collector. I realised recycling is quite a big industry in Hong Kong.

About halfway through the walk, we spotted this old man sitting on some railings, reading the newspaper. That was already a pretty interesting sight. But when Tony asked if he could get a photo of the man, he started taking off his shirt and flexing. Maybe he just really likes Tony. Haha.

When the skies cleared up, everything became much more contrasty.

The second part of the photowalk was to 北河街街市 (Pei Ho Street Market), a wet market complex. An interesting place to test the film. Wet markets exist in Singapore as well. But due to sanitation reasons, you never see live chickens being sold in the markets. That’s the reason why markets will forever be an important part of my travels. To see how locals live and interact.

Pork being delivered. That’s just how Hong Kong is. There will always be things happening in the middle of the street.

Photos up till now were shot on the Nikon FM with JCH Street Pan 400. Developed and scanned by Camera Film Photo in Hong Kong.

After I finished my roll, I handed it over to Vishal and had to begin my mad dash for the airport. But not before taking a photo of Bellamy and Nick with some colour film I loaded after the Street Pan.

Photos up till now were shot on the Nikon FM with Lomography 400. Developed and scanned by Darkroom8 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Thankfully, I made it to the airport in time. I even had time to get lunch. The transport system in Hong Kong is just world class. A few days after I got back, I received the files from CFP and boy was I blown away. Each photo was given so much more character from the film. Would I shoot JCH Street Pan again? Definitely. But it’s a little bit on the pricey side and CFP really had me spoiled with their scans. This was an amazing photowalk and I’m glad I signed up for it despite knowing how much of a rush it would be for me. Thank you CFP and JCH for organising this photowalk. Till the next blogpost, keep shooting film friends!