“Everything is suitable to be photographed.”

Hello, I am R.K. You can also call me Ricky. I have been taking photos on the street for 20 years ago. I like street photography, as I like to couple the moments on the street, recording my feeling as a daily journal. I usually photograph at midnight — when the city becomes quiet and honest. My favourite style is documentary photography.

Through my camera, I try to capture emotions and actions that people rarely show in their everyday lives.

1. What one piece of advice would you give street photographers just starting out?

   Shoot more and think more.
   The more you photograph, the more you begin to understand light,shadow and moments. Reflection is important as pressing the shutter to street photographers.

2. What are your top two places in Vancouver for shooting and why?

   Downtown and Chinatown.
   These two areas are full of street stories that unfold day and night.                                                   

   I’m drawn to the strong contrast between fast urban life and quiet human moments, and the rich mix of cultures and emotions found on the streets.

3. Which three street photographers have influenced your work the most?

   Fan Ho, Daidō Moriyama, and W. Eugene Smith.

4. Describe your work using up to four keywords.

   Raw, contrast, documentary and emotional.

5. Tell us about (up to 5) books, music or other art forms that influence your photography.

   Film director Wong Kar-Wai - Influenced my sense of mood and emotion in images.

   Music by Esther Wu 胡旨澄 (IG: @est.her.works ). Inspires a quiet and reflective rhythm when I walk and photograph.

   On Photography by Susan Sontag. Helps shape how I think about images and meaning.

   Photographer Hill Chan 陳小山 (IG: @hilltography). His work also encourages me to observe daily life with honesty and depth.