Keep the moments of waiting
Last Saturday, in the presence of our families and friends, Jennifer and I tied the knot. We sincerely thank all of our loved ones for attending our wedding ceremony and banquet and sharing our sweet moments. We have your good wishes and blessings as we continue our life together.
I talked to a friend, an amateur photographer, recently. He said with the rise of digital photography, very few people now consider printing their photos out, and fewer opt for traditional photography. Yes, since the 1990s, digital photography has been rapidly replacing film photography, especially in professional environments. The client base for film cameras and related equipment has prominently declined.
As I remember, the manufacturer of instant film cameras and film filed for bankruptcy for the first time in 2001 due to its failure to fight against digital photography. Last year, it decided to terminate its instant film division and close its factories in the United States, Mexico and the Netherlands, and move to digital by producing digital cameras and related products. Countless enthusiasts looked for the remaining instant film stock as they knew too well that if the film runs out, millions of instant film cameras will become history.
We can't resist the advancement in the ever-changing world. That's why we were not surprised that a business, once with billions in annual sales, came to an abrupt halt only 20 years after its golden age.
Back to the times when we didn't have digital cameras, many brought with them an instant film camera when attending birthday parties or picnics. We all liked its plastic body, the focus-free simplicity, the distinctive sound of a picture being taken, not to mention the sound when the camera spits out a print with its signature rectangular white frame. At that time, kids gathered around the photo – even the naughtiest guy kept silent for one minute before the image started appearing right before our eyes. Some checked the watch while some shook the photo, trying to speed up the development time. At last, we witnessed the happy faces together. It was such a magical moment.
The one-minute development time was filled with expectations, and it has always been worth waiting for. Instant films never give us great results, but the imperfectability is part of the charm and beauty of instant photography. It has a cultural impact to a generation and even an era. We all thank instant photography for bringing us so many anonymous instants of happiness. We all treasure the humanity and experience instant photography offers.
I am not a professional photographer, but I enjoy wandering around the city taking photos from my own unique perception. I hope to capture a moment or a scene of this vibrant and beautiful city. It may be the Chinese Banyans with more than 50 years of history, the public estate which will soon be demolished, or the letterbox of a single-block old tenement building. Each of these old things has a tremendous role to play in the local history.
What is encouraging is that there will be a re-launch of a limited edition of instant films in the middle of 2010. This does not only represent the return of instant photography, but also a temporary victory of tradition in its struggle with modernization. Meanwhile, the upcoming launch of instant photography in digital format perhaps offers us some insights into how the old meets the new.
To me, the beauty of life lies in love, nature and arts. After years of planning and development, I and my team have established K11 in Hong Kong, with the vision of Art ‧ People ‧ Nature, to be opened by the end of 2009. I wish to share with you the perfect blending of art appreciation, humanistic experience, nature enjoyment and shopping.