Jiang Jian: Keep Walking Vol. 3
Before we knew it, "Keep Walking" has reached its third volume.
Over the past few years, Hong Kong photographer Jiang Jian began using his mobile phone to document every little detail of this bustling city. His figure appears on the way to and from work, at holiday events, and in every corner of daily life, capturing the people and things he encounters through his lens. From the perspective of Hong Kong people looking at Hong Kong, using the unique expression of mobile street photography, he lets us understand Hong Kong and the ordinary people of Hong Kong.
Walking, shooting;
Shooting, walking.
Through every street and alley, past every stall, the people who hurry by—him or her—their faces are frozen in that instant. This is exactly the slice of life that the photographer needs to capture: a brilliant, interesting, unforgettable moment. And it is this very moment that deeply touches the hearts of every reader who views this photo album, showing us the fragmented yet real life of Hong Kong.
"Isn't street photography exactly this? Every shot is unknown, everything before your eyes is full of uncertainty and chance. You can't be sure what kind of people or events you'll capture, or you might accidentally encounter a moving story or an interesting moment, giving ordinary life extraordinary meaning," says photographer Jiang Jian.
With the advancement of technology, mobile phones are no longer just communication tools. High-tech has endowed mobile phone cameras with their functions, and the photo-taking capabilities of phones are constantly improving. Using a phone to snap pictures is convenient and fast, making everyone a photographer. People use their phones as photography tools, observing and recording the trivialities of ordinary life with a more relaxed mindset. This has made mobile street photography the most popular shooting method today.
Street photography may seem simple, but without keen observation and the photographer's own life insights, such brilliant stories would not be captured.
Ordinary people living in Hong Kong's bustling metropolis appear countless times in the photographer's lens. They are the cornerstone of this city. Jiang Jian walks with his subjects through every street and alley of Hong Kong, blending in with them, using images to record their common and ordinary lives. Busy, joyful, sorrowful, delighted—the fleeting figures reflect the vitality and charm of this fast-paced city.
Three photo albums, from dawn to dusk, in this bustling urban jungle, Jiang Jian uses his phone to express his sincere love for this city and the ordinary people living in it. With the insight and responsibility of a documentary photographer, he portrays the joys and sorrows of contemporary Hong Kong people in their busy lives.
The life of Hong Kong people continues amidst the bustle! The photographer's footsteps continue! Keep walking, keep watching, as this prosperous city continues to unfold its story.
Author of Jinmen Web: Jiang Jian
