RecapHow photographers captured Hong Kong’s essence over the years, from Fan Ho to Hedda Morrison

Discover captivating stories of Hong Kong through the lenses of iconic photographers, from Fan Ho’s poignant street scenes to Hedda Morrison’s post-war documentation, from Justin Wong’s nostalgic neon captures to Kasper Forest’s monochromes of the marginalised, and the Post’s own photographic history of the city’s Mid-Autumn Festival.

1. Rediscover Fan Ho, Hong Kong’s poet with a camera, and his last photography project, Portrait of Hong Kong, that was published after he died

Discover how Fan Ho, Hong Kong’s renowned photographer, rediscovered his passion for monochrome street photography and gained long-overdue recognition. In the words of his daughter, Claudia, and the man himself, explore his artistic journey and how he documented Hong Kong of the 1950s and 60s.

2. A history of Hong Kong’s Mid-Autumn Festival in 50 years of pictures by photographers of the South China Morning Post

Step back in time and witness the evolution of Hong Kong’s Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations through captivating images by Post photographers spanning decades. From vibrant lantern displays to mesmerising fire dragon dances, see how families have celebrated this lunar event over 50 years.

3. Justin Wong’s nostalgic photos capture Hong Kong’s vanishing neon heritage

Photographer Wong returned to Hong Kong after eight years to find neon lights, a symbol of the city’s vibrant heritage, rapidly being replaced by LEDs. His photo series “Nostalgic Time” captures the fading charm of the old iconic streetscapes, urging viewers to cherish the city’s vanishing cultural landmarks and featured in a 2022 exhibition.

4. Hedda Morrison’s unique 1946 photographic record reveals Hong Kong in the aftermath of WWII

Discover the captivating post-World War II photographs of Hong Kong by German photographer Morrison, who documented the city’s resilience and transformation during her six-month stay in 1946. Her poignant photographs showcase the struggles and hopes of the city’s people in the aftermath of the world-changing conflict.

5. Kasper Forest’s black-and-white portraits of underground Hong Kong invite us to question our prejudices

Photographer Forest’s “Conflict Hong Kong” series captures the lives of marginalised communities in a decade-long project that challenges societal prejudices and highlights the city’s marginalised communities. From ethnic minorities to LGBTQ individuals, Forest documents lives often unseen in the back alleys of Hong Kong.

Part of this article was produced with the assistance of generative AI