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Photographer Shows Why Hong Kong Is Called The Concrete Jungle (30 Pics)
Interview With ArtistHong Kong is known for its distinctive tower-studded cityscape. This concrete jungle not only attracts millions of tourists from around the world, but also numerous filmmakers and photographers, who are searching for a unique place to shoot.
Manson is one of those photographers that became fascinated by the vibrancy of Hong Kong. A lot of his photographs feature the city's high-rise buildings that manage to enchant viewers with their density. When looking at these monsters, we can't help but think about the music video of "Gosh" by Jamie XX. What about you?
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Manson is a 20-year-old university student studying urban planning and an amateur photographer who, according to the artist, enjoys "exploring and capturing the urban scenery of Hong Kong". On Instagram, the artist revealed that the fact that so many elements of Hong Kong are fading away makes him want to go out there to document the city before "it no longer feels like the place he belongs."
Manson started his photography journey 4 years ago during his trip to Australia when he got his first camera, the Canon 550D, to experience what photography is about. Since then he has fallen in love with photography and has continued taking photos when he returned to Hong Kong.
"Photography in my opinion is the best way to express myself and the beauty of Hong Kong. It’s also an important way to document and raise awareness of the traditional elements of the city, such as the neon signs and pre-war buildings that are unfortunately fading away quickly as the city undergoes significant transitions in recent years."
Atleast some greenery left, you should checkout Indian metropolitan cities.
The photographer shared with Bored Panda that he uses a Canon R6 mirrorless camera and a DJI Mavic 2 pro drone to capture the photos while using Adobe Lightroom classic and Photoshop for the editing. For editing time, Manson has told us, it can take from a few minutes to hours depending on the creativity he wants to express in each image.
Just imagine the capacity of pipes in these houses and the whole sewage system, when so many people flush down their toilets. And lifts - how log does one have to wait for one? In the morning there must be a jam.
Is t just me or is there a glitch in the matrix, middle line, bottom 1/3?
For Manson, the density of Hong Kong is what fascinates him the most. "Being the place where I grew up, the crowded living environment in Hong Kong doesn’t look visually appealing to me at the beginning. However, after exploring the city deeper with urban photography, I have begun to realize that the density of Hong Kong is not just suffocating, but also fascinating as well. The facades of the buildings are unique with their distinct patterns and symmetrical outlook, which I find extremely satisfying to look at and capture."
View from other side of building will be magnificent. I would totally live on other side of the building.
This! I would be terrified of it happening! I wonder how many got out? How many didn't?
Imagine being drunk and trying to remember which apartment is yours
Note: this post originally had 78 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
Worth knowing that, in a lot of cases, those buildings won't be purely residential. You'll get a mix of shops, offices and even small factories in there too. There's not a lot of space in Hong Kong, so the only way to build is up. Not been there for well over a decade now, but I used to hear them referred to as 'streets in the sky'.
So many people living side by side. I admire their patience and adaptability! 👍
Interesting, but frightening. With endless human population growth, cities like this are the future everywhere.
Yes, it's amazing how they were able to get these photos without showing the Seven Million People living there.
Load More Replies...Honestly? I'd love to live in a place like that. I don't need a lot living space. I don't have high expectations when it comes to neighbours (I used to live in a place with *very* thin walls - they may drill their walls, make love all night and have tons of crying babies, I don't care). I love scyscrapers and want to live in one ever since I was a child. And... ANONYMITY! It must be so wonderful not to know your neighbours and not being expected to know and remember them!
I totally agree! The anonymity is a huge plus for me. I used to live in a larger town growing up (absolutely not like this but large compared to where I livenow) and the thing I miss the most is anonymity.
Load More Replies...It freaks me out for some reason? I am so glad I live in a country with pretty much no skyscrapers as they're so ugly and scary haha
No chance. No way. No how. Talk about claustrophobia. Nothing about this is appealing.
I Googled it and Hong Kong isn't even the most densely populated city in the world. Mumbai is. With all of these buildings, I would have thought it would be Hong Kong. Another lesson learned on BP.
When I see the huge towers of homes it makes me want to throw up - its suffocating. I can't imagine what that must feel like - I have a fear of heights and just a wall of homes like that is terrifying. I heard a video once of someone living in a high rise apartment in Chicago, but they were only about halfway up as high as the building goes. You could hear it creaking and shifting.
I live out in the country. Nope. Just nope. But to each his own, and there are people who liked the photos. Just not me.
I feel so priviledged being born in a small, wealthy, green country. Being born is such a gamble. It could have been in Ukraine. Or Hong Kong. Or North Korea. Or Alamaba.
Why? Yes, it's a different vibe you get in the New Territories. But they are not bad ones. I like going to NT after a buzzing day on HK Island. It can be calm, soothing and relaxing.
Load More Replies...The movement of people from this kind of Asian density to Australia has raised house prices - and density here. I get that they want to move from HK and China (where it's nowhere near as 'nice' as HK) but the problem is now moving from Asia to the rest of the world. As population replacement rates fall in the developed world, the problem isn't solved by filling the space. Everywhere on earth needs a break from people.
I actually sort of like it. I would be totally ok with living like this. I grew up in a (much) smaller scale "concrete jungle" and always felt that sense of security having people around but also anonymity. Also, I love the colors they added!
I wish there were references of where the pictures were taken. The red taxis and the waterfront on some pics were the only hints I got. It looks like how I would imagine a dystopia. But there's beautiful nature as well. I'm lucky enough being able to stay in three storey buildings in quiet areas whenever I am there.
A HUGE warning for anyone with Megalophobia... it's really frightening!!
Worth knowing that, in a lot of cases, those buildings won't be purely residential. You'll get a mix of shops, offices and even small factories in there too. There's not a lot of space in Hong Kong, so the only way to build is up. Not been there for well over a decade now, but I used to hear them referred to as 'streets in the sky'.
So many people living side by side. I admire their patience and adaptability! 👍
Interesting, but frightening. With endless human population growth, cities like this are the future everywhere.
Yes, it's amazing how they were able to get these photos without showing the Seven Million People living there.
Load More Replies...Honestly? I'd love to live in a place like that. I don't need a lot living space. I don't have high expectations when it comes to neighbours (I used to live in a place with *very* thin walls - they may drill their walls, make love all night and have tons of crying babies, I don't care). I love scyscrapers and want to live in one ever since I was a child. And... ANONYMITY! It must be so wonderful not to know your neighbours and not being expected to know and remember them!
I totally agree! The anonymity is a huge plus for me. I used to live in a larger town growing up (absolutely not like this but large compared to where I livenow) and the thing I miss the most is anonymity.
Load More Replies...It freaks me out for some reason? I am so glad I live in a country with pretty much no skyscrapers as they're so ugly and scary haha
No chance. No way. No how. Talk about claustrophobia. Nothing about this is appealing.
I Googled it and Hong Kong isn't even the most densely populated city in the world. Mumbai is. With all of these buildings, I would have thought it would be Hong Kong. Another lesson learned on BP.
When I see the huge towers of homes it makes me want to throw up - its suffocating. I can't imagine what that must feel like - I have a fear of heights and just a wall of homes like that is terrifying. I heard a video once of someone living in a high rise apartment in Chicago, but they were only about halfway up as high as the building goes. You could hear it creaking and shifting.
I live out in the country. Nope. Just nope. But to each his own, and there are people who liked the photos. Just not me.
I feel so priviledged being born in a small, wealthy, green country. Being born is such a gamble. It could have been in Ukraine. Or Hong Kong. Or North Korea. Or Alamaba.
Why? Yes, it's a different vibe you get in the New Territories. But they are not bad ones. I like going to NT after a buzzing day on HK Island. It can be calm, soothing and relaxing.
Load More Replies...The movement of people from this kind of Asian density to Australia has raised house prices - and density here. I get that they want to move from HK and China (where it's nowhere near as 'nice' as HK) but the problem is now moving from Asia to the rest of the world. As population replacement rates fall in the developed world, the problem isn't solved by filling the space. Everywhere on earth needs a break from people.
I actually sort of like it. I would be totally ok with living like this. I grew up in a (much) smaller scale "concrete jungle" and always felt that sense of security having people around but also anonymity. Also, I love the colors they added!
I wish there were references of where the pictures were taken. The red taxis and the waterfront on some pics were the only hints I got. It looks like how I would imagine a dystopia. But there's beautiful nature as well. I'm lucky enough being able to stay in three storey buildings in quiet areas whenever I am there.
A HUGE warning for anyone with Megalophobia... it's really frightening!!