My passion for photography and editing was first ignited during the ASDAN China Daily Hong Kong programme. At the time, I was a complete novice, only capable of using simple editing software for casual vlogs and with no experience in formal visual storytelling. The project challenged us to distil the essence of Hong Kong into a two-minute film. This involved carrying camera equipment through the bustling streets of Mong Kok and the waterfront of Victoria Harbour, interviewing local residents to collect their authentic stories, and showcasing the diverse culture of the city. My primary role was video editing, and I vividly remember our team huddled in a room, working late into the night to finish our piece. To our delight, our film was awarded a top prize. Seeing our hard work recognised thoroughly ignited my passion for visual creation and gave me my first true sense of the power of an image to convey warmth and narrative.
Later, on the recommendation of my form tutor, I joined the school's journalism society, officially participating in campus events as a photographer. Whether it was capturing the decisive goal in a basketball tournament or the dynamic performance of a band at the Mid-Autumn Festival gala, I would always arrive early to set up equipment and scout for the perfect angle, striving to preserve every vivid moment through my lens. One of my most memorable projects was producing a farewell video for the UK Graduation Season. My partner interviewed over ten graduating students, recording their nostalgia for campus life and their hopes for the future, while I wove these fragmented clips into a cohesive narrative. The sense of accomplishment I felt when this video was screened at the school's graduation ceremony, with everyone watching below, solidified my resolve to continue on this path.
Upon entering my A-Levels, I chose to study Photography under the Art department to systematically enhance my skills. In class, I progressed from learning fundamental composition rules and the use of light and shadow to mastering professional techniques like manual camera settings and post-processing for colour grading. Outside the classroom, I spent my weekends taking my camera out for ‘street shoots’—capturing the lively atmosphere in old neighbourhoods, documenting the play of natural light in parks, and sometimes asking friends to model for me to experiment with different portrait styles. After completing a series of photos, I would meticulously curate and select the best shots for my portfolio, constantly refining my technical skills and aesthetic sense through repeated review and revision.
As my technical abilities matured, I began to merge my interest with practical experience by taking on commissioned photo shoots via platforms like Little Red Book and Xianyu. Juggling this with my academic studies meant I could only accept a limited number of commissions, but each one was immensely rewarding. Meeting clients for the first time, I learned to quickly establish trust by understanding their needs and preferences through prior communication. During shoots, I patiently listened and adapted flexibly to their feedback on poses and angles. With more introverted clients, I made an effort to create a comfortable atmosphere to avoid awkwardness. In the post-processing stage, I meticulously refined details based on their feedback. This experience not only gave me a genuine appreciation for how ‘earning money was no easy task’ but, more importantly, it honed my communication and problem-solving skills. It taught me that creating compelling photography relies not just on technique, but also on the ability to understand and respect others.
Reflecting on this journey, I often ponder why I hold such a deep affinity for photography. Perhaps it is because the lens can freeze fleeting moments into eternity, allowing me to revisit the scenes and emotions years later. Or perhaps it is the unique and irreplaceable feeling of satisfaction when a client sees their photos and says, "This is exactly the feeling I wanted." What began as a casual interest has now crystallised into a clear professional direction. With the ambition to master more advanced filmmaking, I am now devoting my weekend spare time to studying related disciplines, from storyboard design to narrative structure analysis. I am taking step-by-step strides towards a more professional realm, hopeful that this passion will become the focus of my university studies and future career.
Author: Xie Caiying (Kelly)
