HONG KONG ELECTRIFIED

January 23, 2018 in PHOTOGRAPHY, HONG KONG PHOTOGRAPHER, FORMULA E HONG KONG, MOTORSPORT ASIA, MOTORSPORT PHOTOGRAPHER H

Round 1 and 2 of the 2017/2018 season, Hong Kong Formula E has come and gone. This year we were hired by the Global Sponsor, Julius Baer, and Activation Group. What an exciting event for Hong Kong, in the heart of the central business district, a stone's throw away from Victoria Harbor. Not to mention one of the worlds greatest backdrops, nestled amongst skyscrapers and luxury apartments. One can only imagine what a night race would be like in the Harbour City?

One of the greatest feelings of satisfaction is when you have completed a job exceeding your client's expectations. This can't be done without a good team around you, continuous communication, positive/negative feedback, improving or dealing with situations out of your control and overall staying professional under pressure, and, getting the job done! None of this works without planning and understanding your client's requirement weeks before an event.

As a photographer, you need to be flexible, adaptable and willing to work hard under any condition. Motorsport photography has its challenges, especially street circuits, we are quite restricted with access due to track designs and of course, safety reasons and the Hong Kong track is no exception. Keeping this in mind we need to be creative in finding angles or locations different to be able to tell the story and at the same time fulfill your client's needs. This is one of the great challenges but one of the most rewarding when you get that perfect shot!

Thanks to a professional team at Activation Events, Julius Baer and my assistant Terence. If you would like to see more of my work please visit my website www.christiaanhart.com and follow me on Instagram @christiaanhartphotographer

All eyes on the prize, Mitch Evans, Jaguar Formula E Team, fully focused Round 1.

Hong Kong's famous checked yellow intersections, makes for an interesting view

Mechanical issues forced Felix Rosenqvist to spectate in practice one.

Turn 2 a tight right hander off the main straight.

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Craft Bamboo driver, Darryl O'Young tackles Lisbo corner in the VLT Porsche GT3 — Craft Bamboo driver, Darryl O'Young tackles Lisbo corner in the VLT Porsche GT3

CONCRETE JUNGLE

January 24, 2017 in HONG KONG PHOTOGRAPHER, PHOTOGRAPHY

Macau Grand Prix is well known for its tight turns, long straights and yellow and black steel barriers that have claimed many teams and drivers championship hopes. The City of Macau comes alive for a four day action packed motorsport festival.

2016 was as exciting as ever, working with Craft Bamboo and VLT, the teams major sponsor. Craft Bamboo who compete in the GT Asia series which is the regions leading GT championship featuring the best production based supercars such as Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Bentley.

Over the four days we were hired as the teams official photographers capturing everything from pit lane, garage preparations, VIP's, and race day action on the track.

Here's a little insight into what went on.

Darry'l O'young attacking the famous Melco hairpin turn.

The 2016 event was definitely more challenging to photograph due to tighter securities on vantage points. Nevertheless, this is one of the most exciting corners whereby the cars lift a wheel off the ground due to the angle of the turn, this makes for an exciting dynamic image.

Team Craft Bamboo leading the way after a restart. This is one of fastest parts of the Macau circuit coming out of Fishermans bend heading towards the famous Lisboa corner.

Darryl O'young pushing hard in Qualifying.

Always a crowd favourite, VLT Race To Win, Craft Bamboo Racing Team.

Autograph session in the paddock with Darryl O'young and the VLT racing Queens.

Sadly the weekend did not finish well for the team after being pushed into a wall from a competitor. Unfortunately the car did not make it back onto the track after the incident.

Motorsport events are long days and nights. The excitement and exhilaration you get from working with and around professional motorsport teams is second to none. It was a pleasure to work with Craft Bamboo and VLT, we look forward to more exciting projects down the road.

Camera equipment used:

Canon 2 x EOS 1DX Bodies

Canon 2 x EOS 5D MKIII

Canon 2 x EF 24-70 f/2.8 L IS USM

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 LII USM

Canon 2 x 70-200 f/2.8 IS II USM

Canon 400MM f/2.8 IS II USM

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE

October 24, 2016 in HONG KONG PHOTOGRAPHER, PHOTOGRAPHY, FORMULA E HONG KONG

Hong Kong is well known for it's hustle and bustle and what not a better place to host the first Formula E race of 2016/2017 season.

Hong Kong's harbour front came alive for a weekend of spills and thrills. I was contracted to cover an exciting new project by ROBORACE, a driverless race car series, yes you heard it! "Devbot" is a prototype and Hong Kong was to be its first time navigating the challenging street circuit. Unfortunately "Devbot" never made it on to the circuit. The autonomous race car is packed with technology and due to a battery failure sadly we didn't get the chance to photograph her on track.

In saying this, we had the opportunity to witness "Devbot" in action on the Kai Tak cruise terminal. The Team had a pre approved secret test late on Saturday night. I must say it was a little surreal to watch a driverless car in motion in front of the breathtaking backdrop of Hong Kong's skyline.

Secret testing of "Devbot" This was the first time the car was in motion in Hong Kong.

Race day! Hong Kong debuts Formula E.

BTS, capturing the action on turn three.

YOUTH SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES

June 13, 2016 in PHOTOGRAPHY, HONG KONG PHOTOGRAPHER

Youth sports photography services. Individual or team game day shoots. Book now for your personalised sports action shoot. Like our Facebook page to receive 20% off your first booking.

'ACCESS ALL AREAS' APEC SUMMIT 2015

November 28, 2015 in PHOTOGRAPHY, HONG KONG PHOTOGRAPHER

2015 has been an incredible year for my photography career. Working with F8 Photography, we have covered many exciting events, and the APEC SUMMIT 2015 has definitely topped it off!

President Barack Obama arriving on stage to greet the 2015 APEC guests.

Out of 3,000 Media and Photographers who were covering APEC, Gary and myself were the only two who had been granted full access to all areas. We are very grateful to Darren Kerr from Factor 168, Project Director and Executive Producer for APEC 2015, for allowing us this opportunity.

Our tasks were to photograph the VVIP's in a more natural and intimate environment, which included Presidents, Prime Ministers and World Business Leaders. Our access gave us a rare opportunity to shoot back stage as the individuals were briefed and prepared to go on stage.

Being in the presence of these VVIP's was such a buzz. To have the opportunity to photograph these individuals in a way that they are rarely seen was amazing.

The images below represent the "behind the scenes" look into what we covered at the event.

As these images are rare and one of a kind for this event, we apologise for the watermark to protect the images from being misused.

President of the United Sates Mr Barack Obama and Jack Ma founder of Alibaba on stage together.

Project Director and Executive Producer Darren Kerr seated with Mr Allen Lai official MC of APEC 2015 awaiting the next VVIP to arrive in the green room. — Project Director and Executive Producer Darren Kerr seated with Mr Allen Lai official MC of APEC 2015 awaiting the next VVIP to arrive in the green room.

President of the Philippines Mr Benigno Aquino III being interview by CNN Asia Pacific Editor Mr Andrew Stevens.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signs the VVIP guest book back stage after his speech.

C Y Leung, Chief Executive of Hong Kong relaxing back stage whilst his personal body guard stands close by. A very rare opportunity to get this close to VVIP's in the green room at APEC 2015.

Allan Zeman, Hong Kong business magnate seated in the centre, also known as the Father of Lan Kwai Fong, a famous bar a restaurant district located in Central Hong Kong.

Travis Kalanick founder of Uber. Photographing back stage was very unique and quiet interesting witnessing what goes on behind the scenes.

Back stage access gave us some unique shooting angles. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. — Back stage access gave us some unique shooting angles. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

President of China Mr Xi Jinping being introduced to the crowd before his speech.

A highlight of the APEC SUMMIT, President Barack Obama greeting Jack Ma (Alibaba.com founder)

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Mr Peter O'neil being interviewed by Haslinda Amin, News anchor for Bloomberg television.

Mr Jack Ma, Founder of Alibaba.com presenting at APEC CEO Summit.

Security was tight, personal body guard stands backstage for Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, whats in the bag!

President of the United Sates Barack Obama almost looking down the barrel of my camera...

Host venue of APEC CEO SUMMIT 2015, Makati Shangri-La, Manila, Philippines.

Myself photographing in front of stage. Gary and I were the only two photographers who were granted 'full access to all areas'. — Myself photographing in front of stage. Gary and I were the only two photographers who were granted 'full access to all areas'.

Our cameras and security passes for APEC. All gear was checked by security every morning through scanners, dog squad and secret service also throughly checked inside and outside the lenses.

All packed and ready for the trip in the F8 Studio. Well almost...

The above photo was the gear I used throughout APEC. We packed light for this trip which enabled us to move freely around the event venue. All lenses and 5D III fitted into the new Think Tank turn style shoulder bag, a great investment for this type of job.

Gary photographed the event with the Sony A7RII and A7SII, these were ideal for shooting in the green room as it was so dark. Some images were taken at ISO 40,000 an amazing camera system and ideal for this event.

Camera equipment used.

- 2 X Canon 5D MARK III DSLR

- EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS II

- 8-15mm f/4L fisheye

- EF 35mm f/1.4L

- EF 85mm 1.8 USM

- EF 24-70mm F/2.8L

For major corporate event organisation please speak to Darren Darren Kerr from Factor 168, his links below for all contact details:

Linkedin Profile - Darren Kerr

Factor 168 website

Factor 168 Facebook Page

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CAMBODIA, CITY TO SLUMS

August 09, 2015 in PHOTOGRAPHY, HONG KONG PHOTOGRAPHER

Phnom Penh to Kampot - what an experience!

This was my second visit to Cambodia and it was just as enlightening as the first.

My goal this trip was to shoot environmental portraits, as well as a few landscapes during the rainy season. I wanted to get up close and personal with the local people.

Cambodia offers some of the best opportunities for photography and the people are some of the friendliest and welcoming you could ever wish to meet.

Off the beaten track I came across this local farmer lady who was waiting patiently whilst her cow grazed in the rice fields.

Through my translator I chatted with her, learning more about her life. She went on to tell me that the only picture she had ever seen of herself was when she received her Cambodian ID card.

It was a great moment and feeling to see her reaction when I showed her the portrait I took of her, I will be sure to give her a copy on my return visit.

In the same paddy fields local kids help herd the water buffalo to the next field to graze.

The water buffalo assist farmers when plowing their rice fields. It was great fun wading through knee-deep mud and water to get into the right position to take the shot.

Sometimes you need to get dirty to get the shot!

Scooters were the preferred mode of transport in Kampot and this is the only way (in my opinion) to get around, reason being, there is so much to see, every roadside hut and house has something to photograph.

Whilst riding I came across some kids playing in their front yard, the game involves the kids jumping to get their feet onto the elastic bands. It’s amazing to watch how athletic they are and great to see the kids having so much fun with such a simple idea.

I had heard about the slums in Phnom Penh and wanted to get a first hand view for myself. What an eye opener!

I visited two areas one on Silk island where there are the Vietnamese immigrants living and another area on the out skirts of Phnom Penh where a relatively large Muslim community lives on the banks of the adjoining Mekong and Tonle Slap rivers in make shift wooden huts, their only source of income is from fishing.

A vast difference between wealth and poverty, less than 300 meters away a 5 star hotel resort lay where international travelers enjoy a luxury lifestyle, most probably unaware or uninterested in what lies a few yards beneath them.

My first few steps into the Silk Island slum, I must admit I was a little nervous. I couldn’t have been more wrong, walking through the village the people were so friendly, kids playing soccer and chasing after their friends through wooden huts and make shift houses. Adults were offering their home cooked food and everyone greets you with a smile as I basically walked in and around their homes.

As bad as their conditions are they are making the most of what they have and to be honest they actually look a lot happier than most people I come across in the streets of Hong Kong where I reside.

I’m not trying to make light of their situation because it is extremely sad to see in this day and age people still having to live like this, my point being even in harshest times these people still manage to have a smile on their face, I learnt a lot from my time here.