Salon Photography

Peter Lo - Cold Foggy Morning in Winter Toronto

Salon photography was a very popular mainstream photographic medium since the late 1940s. Those days, where color photography was generally regard as a luxurious hobby. B&W photography (black & white) commanded the medium at large. It is immensely popular among the Chinese community and it has a huge following worldwide.

There were no yardstick to measure and rated the standard of Salon photography. Through submissions of entries to "recognized" photographic international societies like The Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain (RPS) and gradually extended to some major annual events of competition where awards and titles were given.

IMPO, you can only inspire a Salon photographer that, with the sound knowledge and technicalities that has laid himself/herself as a Salon photographer, expand the scope with the traditional way of seeing things in a Salon eyes around you, applied in the creative image making process.


Remarks:
The photos in this BLOG were chosen from my “International Salon Photographic Awards” & “Photographic Contests Winners” in the 1970s. The photos were all taken in Hong Kong (currently the HKSAR) and Macau (currently the MSAR) with 35mm Color Slide Film - KODACHROME.

For a larger view, just double click individual image in the BLOG Archive.

A Heavy Rainy Day

"A Heavy Rainy Day" was taken in Central at The Star Ferry Pier (HK side) on a very heavy rainy day. A man (not a model) was running desperately from nowhere without an umbrella. It was captured only one time without the camera motor-drive.

Note: In view of the camera motor-drive is not available in early years, perfect timing in the Spot Photography is crucial. The shutter was released in a split of a second to capture this perfect moment.

The Colorized Effect was done intentionally.

A Lonely Heart

"A Lonely Heart" was taken in the New Territories (one of the forest in the northern part of Kowloon) on one fine day. The outfit of the model and the tree was changed to yellow & red/purple color due to the chosen of the Infra-red Film.


Note: This picture has one layer optimized for a special "Partial Emboss" effect (局部浮雕). Layers are managed in the darkroom in view of the Photoshop Software is not available in early years.

Chase Me If You Can

“Chase Me If You Can” was taken in Macau at The Macau Greyhound Racing Centre.

Though the truth is still undefined, greyhounds have long been held in high esteem and they are originally bred as hunting companions or as racers. These greyhounds are extremely fast runners as they can finish a lap of the Canidrome in 30 seconds.


Note: Panning is a photographic skill to master a partial blurry effect. It is a motion of panning & releasing the shutter simultaneously when the object was passing. Shutter speed at 1/30 seconds or below is selected to achieve the effect. Due to AF (auto focus system) Lens is not available in early years, precise focus and quick release of shutter is very crucial in Sport Photography.

Dancing On The Cliffs

"Dancing On the Cliffs" was taken in Tung Ping Chau, Hong Kong's wild eastern island. Tung Ping Chau is shaped like a crescent moon, cradling a sandy beach along the east coast and with low cliffs to the west and south.

This is a popular place with visitors which is pretty much the furthest you can get from the city without needing your passport. There's a fine beach, with coral heads just offshore. Intentionally, a model-dancer was shot at the skirt of cliffs.

Note: This picture has one layer optimized for a special "Partial Emboss" effect (局部浮雕). Layers are managed in the darkroom in view of the Photoshop Software is not available in early years.

Fireworks

"Fireworks" was taken in Macau during the visit of the Fireworks Display Contest in Chinese New Year. It was a picture perfect for the Fireworks/Firecrackers scenery on a cloudy day.

Note: The girl in red was dressed up intentionally so as to bring out the dull surrounding area. DOF would be much better if a Tele-lens was available, but the 85mm for this circumstance was just perfect. Shutter speed at 1/60 seconds or below was selected to enhance the sparkling effects of the fireworks, and the happiness of the children.

Home-made Shrimp Paste

"Home-made Shrimp Paste” was taken in Tai O, the western side of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. Tai O is also a hot tourist spot for both foreigners and residents of other parts of Hong Kong.

The traditional home-made Shrimp paste/shrimp sauce in Tai O is a common ingredient used in Southeast Asian and Southern Chinese cuisine. It is made from fermented ground shrimp, sun dried and then cut into fist-sized rectangular blocks.

Note: This picture has three layers, each optimized for a special "Partial Emboss" effect (局部浮雕). Layers are managed in the darkroom in view of the Photoshop Software is not available in early years.

I'll Follow You

"I’ll Follow You" was taken in Fanling, New Territories, the Northern District of Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Motorcycling has its enthusiasts and as with all the other sports going on around the territories.

There were many people watching races at a variety of different levels. It was exciting to watch, with bikes flying through the air, as once the races were underway there was a large amount of noise and the bikers kick up a lot of dust.

Night Shopping Market

"Night Market" was taken in Sheung Wan, the Western District, Hong Kong.

In early 70s, the shopping market was an outdoor street market with loads and loads of stalls where you can buy anything from a Copy Rolex to T-shirt & Jean.

Many stalls have been moved to “Ladies Market” at Tung Choi Street, Mongkok, Kowloon soon after the market was closed down for the development of current Shun Tak Centre & Macau Ferry Terminal.

Note: “Open Dai-Pai-Dong At Night” & “Night Shopping Market” were both taken in Sheung Wan (Currently Shun Tak Centre & Macau Ferry Terminal).

Open Dai-Pai-Dong At Night

"Open Dai-Pai-Dong At Night" was taken in Sheung Wan, the Western District, Hong Kong.

Open food court is the one of the street food stalls known as a “dai-pai-dong”. The service is casual, the décor minimal to non-existent, but the food is cheap and tasty, and there's a very real Hong Kong atmosphere.

From the mid-1970s, the government began regulating “dai-pai-dong” making it hard to find the real thing today. Many open food stalls have been moved to the government's cooked food markets, especially in places like Mongkok. Some only have seats inside; others seem more authentic with tables and chairs on the pavement.

Note: “Open Dai-Pai-Dong At Night” & “Night Shopping Market” were both taken in Sheung Wan (Currently Shun Tak Centre & Macau Ferry Terminal).

Take Me Home

"Take Me Home" was taken in the city of Macau on one fine morning. One of the scenic spots in the city is the path/lane laid with pebbles, which is very popular among the public as it is often filled with photographers and visitors.

The smoke in the far end, the strolling people, and the beautiful pebbles lane reflected the warm light from the sun created a backlit effect. Especially, the long shadow effect from the girls in the foreground is a picture perfect.

Note: To take any street scenery in the public, the timing to release the shutter must be very accurate, normally at “one take”. It is difficult to find a satisfactory one even though if you have a few dozens taken.

Two For A Ball

“Two For A Ball” was taken in Hong Kong at the Water Polo Competition. The water polo shot is a unique skill in which the player attempts to score a goal by throwing the ball as fast and accurately as possible at the goalie, and sometimes chasing for a ball from each other is one of the game tactic.

Note: A 300mm Tele Lens was aiming at the players when chasing the ball. Higher shutter speed at 1/250 or above was selected to freeze the motion. Due to AF (auto focus system) Lens is not available in early years, precise focus and quick release of shutter is very crucial in Sport Photography.

Worshipper

"Worshipper” was taken in the Man Mo Temple, Sheung Wan, the Western District, Hong Kong.

The Man Mo Temple is one of the oldest and most beautiful temples on Hong Kong Island. Built in the 1800s, the temple is dedicated to two deities: "Man"-the god of literature, and "Mo"-the god of war.

There are other temples in Hong Kong, but The Man Mo Temple is a special place that never fails to inspire with worshippers and prayers.

The PP-Black & White effect was done intentionally.