City, Streets, and Stories: Derry Ainsworth’s Hong Kong Chronicles

For 'Containment' - I kept seeing these buildings that had this 'dragon gate' feature, and I wondered if there would be any chance to frame a subject within these holes. This particular building sits near a busy shipping channel in Hong Kong, so it was a case of waiting for a boat to come past in the right place and lining the camera up so it was framed right in the middle. The time of day also added some sunset glow to the gaps in the buildings, which was nice!

For 'Concrete Horizons' - I was hiking up on Hong Kong Island on a really clear day, and noticed that you can see for miles into the urban landscape of Kowloon. So I captured this compression shot with a zoom lens, where only the 'Aqua Luna' sailboat was visible passing in front of the 'concrete horizon'.

I have held some exhibitions here in Hong Kong, and it's a great opportunity to self reflect and self curate from your photo collection. I think when you show your work to the public, you also get an honest response from images that people like, and that helps you know which images people are drawn towards. Social media engagement also helps you to realize which images work.

Buildings! I studied architecture, so I've always been drawn to capturing angles, perspectives and urban scenery.

Urban photography of all kinds, whether it's architectural or street - I love capturing the city and life within it. Using a range of techniques helps to document life in a place. I find it fascinating to see how different neighborhoods in different cities all have their own distinct character. 

Sony A1 - is the most incredible tool I've ever owned. I can't recommend a camera more. It has the resolution, the speed, the focus capabilities and strength in both photo and video. 

A sense of time and place. I hope it inspires people to get out and explore more and take their own photos. Photography is one of the best ways to appreciate and connect with your surroundings, and I hope more people pick up a camera and create for themselves.

Timing, centering the boats, is a small but crucial detail to making these shots what they are.

Hong Kong. I owe my entire career to this inspiring place. It has given me the visual inspiration and endless work opportunities to make a career from something I love.

The feeling of exploring a new place, and music are my biggest influences for photography.

Find what you love to shoot and keep shooting it, be original and don't copy others. Take your chance in competitions, as you have to be in it to win it. 

Shoot what interests you, don't shoot for IG likes, use photography as a tool to appreciate the things that you love and you find interesting. 

Editing helps you ultimately define your style. Eventually, you will find techniques that work for you and what you want to achieve. I've spent years trying out different looks and styles; it's just about practicing and experimenting until you find what works for you.

Keep the AI tools coming; they are useful for fixing things like blemishes and corrections. I don't think AI is a threat in this field, as photography is really personal to your 'eye' and it's hard to replicate that, unless you just copy other people's work, then you might get replaced by AI.

I'm interested in traveling more and shooting more cities and architecture - I really want to explore more of the Middle East!