HONG KONG the way it was

Step back in time to old Hong Kong at F11’s new photography exhibition, ‘HONG KONG the way it was’.

F11 Foto Museum in Happy Valley is celebrating its 5th year with a special exhibit of classic pictures of Hong Kong taken almost 60 years ago.

Dutch photographer Ed van der Elsken captured an incredible collection of photos during his 13-month round-the-world trip in 1959-1960. During this trip, he spent three weeks exploring and photographing life in Hong Kong, which he described as the “prettiest of harbour cities”.

Through his photos he captured a unique time in Hong Kong’s history, showing its growth and transition, with a true blend of tradition and modernity.

People with an interest in these nostalgic days will love the juxtaposition of old colonial architecture and iconic street scenes of daily life.

In 1989, a year before van der Elsken passed away, he went through his Hong Kong files again and rediscovered some pictures he had never printed. After spending five weeks in his dark room, Ed brought these valuable files back to life.

This is the first time that van der Elsken’s full ‘HONG KONG the way it was’ series is being displayed in its entirety.

The exhibition is open from 2pm to 7pm on Tuesdays to Saturdays, but closed on Sundays, Mondays and public holidays. Entry is HK$100.00, but advance tickets are not required.

A great way to really get a better understanding of both the photography and the time in which they were taken is to sign up for one of the weekly guided tours. The tours are available for free every Saturday, in English at 2:30pm, and Cantonese at 4:30pm. The groups are small—with only 10 spots available—so be sure to reserve your spot in advance to truly get a good insight into the photos on display.

F11 Foto Museum is a historical gem in and of itself, housed in a heritage building that dates back to the 1930s. The beautifully restored three-storey building was converted into the F11 Foto Museum in 2014, and houses a collection of rare photos, books and cameras.

Be sure to check out the rooftop, which is a lovely open-air garden with great views.