Magnificent Seven
Presenting seven of Hong Kong journalist Steven Knipp's favorite personal photos
After recently interviewing Steven regarding the withdrawal of his famous 1989 photo from the walls of the FCC, I was curious if he had any personal shots he’d like to share.
Are you sure?
A cloudy and rainy day in Hong Kong’s busy Central District. A young couple are having their pre-wedding photos taken along the tram line. Out of the corner of my eye I spot a bus coming, with an interesting poster ad on the side.
Alas, I’m not carrying my camera, but quickly reach for my cell phone instead. Because of the low light and the movement of the bus, technically this is not a very good shot. But it always makes me smile when I see it.
Why do women live longer than men?
An elderly man with bad knees and a dodgy back. A wet and slippery dock. A tiny boat rocking and pitching, not tethered to the dock. A tangle of ropes, too. Plus a couple of bicycles with more sharp edges than a porcupine in heat.
What could possibly go wrong?
Fortune favours the brave
A mega cruise ship anchored just off shore from Grand Cayman Island, in the heart of the Caribbean. A sizable middle-aged lady from that liner stands on the edge of the tropical waters, aided by a kindly local lifeguard. She has probably never snorkelled in her life, let alone in the open ocean. She is nervous, but perhaps takes to heart the famous motto of the British Army’s SAS: ‘Fortune favours the brave.’
Spot the photographer
A mirror shop in Tehran – Islamic Republic of Iran. Lunch time. An early attempt at what would today be called a selfie?
You are being watched
Hiking along a winding footpath on Hong Kong’s heavily forested Lantau Island, I suddenly see a movement above and in front of me – in the hollow of an old dead tree.
There is no wind, so it wasn’t a moving branch, or even a leaf. I freeze and stare at the same spot. Holding my breath, I slowly lift my camera from my side to my face. I don’t move for 30 seconds.
Then, suddenly, I see it again – it’s the blink of an eye! It’s a baby owl!
Early every morning for the next four days, I return to the same spot. But never see him again.
Tourist couple meets water buffalo couple
Silvermine Bay, Hong Kong. A cloudy Sunday morning in late summer. While walking my new puppy along the bay, I saw a European tourist couple approaching two feral water buffalos – also leisurely walking on the beach.
I moved closer, and waited for several minutes to get the right shot. Then, all at once, each of the two species seemed to display the exact same measure of caution and curiosity – and snapped the shutter.
Three lovely mops see off their sailor boyfriends
Three lovely mops see off their sailor boyfriends.
*My wife insists I have a “strange eye” for photos. But I think she has no sense of humour?
Our sincere thanks to journalist Steven Knipp for sharing his images. Read his interview here.
Great photos, I particularly love the water buffalos !