Wing Shya: The photographer who immortalized Hong Kong’s cool

By Wilfred Chan, for CNN
4 minute read
Updated 1:57 AM EST, Tue December 27, 2016
As director Wong Kar Wai's exclusive set photographer, Hong Kong artist Wing Shya is known for his vivid, tender images from the golden era of Hong Kong cinema, including this moment between Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung during the filming of Wong Kar Wai's masterpiece, "In the Mood For Love."
As director Wong Kar Wai's exclusive set photographer, Hong Kong artist Wing Shya is known for his vivid, tender images from the golden era of Hong Kong cinema, including this moment between Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung during the filming of Wong Kar Wai's masterpiece, "In the Mood For Love."
Wing Shya
"Because of Wong Kar Wai, I met all the great actors and actresses," said Wing. Wing would continue to collaborate with many of them -- including Shu Qi (pictured above) -- on other projects.
"Because of Wong Kar Wai, I met all the great actors and actresses," said Wing. Wing would continue to collaborate with many of them -- including Shu Qi (pictured above) -- on other projects.
WIng Shya
Wing shot this still on-set of Hong Kong film director Wong Kar Wai's "Happy Together." The inexperienced young photographer showed up to set without a soundproof box for his camera -- and could only film in between takes because of the sound of shutter clicks. But the images offered a "different chemistry" between the lead actors, he said. <br />"It (feels) like something is going to happen, but you don't know what's happening."
Wing shot this still on-set of Hong Kong film director Wong Kar Wai's "Happy Together." The inexperienced young photographer showed up to set without a soundproof box for his camera -- and could only film in between takes because of the sound of shutter clicks. But the images offered a "different chemistry" between the lead actors, he said.
"It (feels) like something is going to happen, but you don't know what's happening."
Wing Shya
The "behind the scenes" feeling became one of Wing's signature styles. "You don't know what's going on. That creates another chemistry," he said.
The "behind the scenes" feeling became one of Wing's signature styles. "You don't know what's going on. That creates another chemistry," he said.
Wing Shya
Today, Wing is one of Asia's most iconic photographers, known for his raw, smoky images from the golden era of Hong Kong cinema.
Today, Wing is one of Asia's most iconic photographers, known for his raw, smoky images from the golden era of Hong Kong cinema.
Wing Shya
Wing often became so entranced by scenes that he shot entire rolls of film that were unfocused or riddled with technical errors. But it became part of his approach as an artist — "Things are only mistakes if you think they are," he says.
Wing often became so entranced by scenes that he shot entire rolls of film that were unfocused or riddled with technical errors. But it became part of his approach as an artist — "Things are only mistakes if you think they are," he says.
Wing Shya
Wing Shya's photographs hint at the mysteries of time gone by: his models' faces are washed in nostalgic color, obscured by shadow, often wearing expressions of longing or hidden sentiment.
Wing Shya's photographs hint at the mysteries of time gone by: his models' faces are washed in nostalgic color, obscured by shadow, often wearing expressions of longing or hidden sentiment.
Wing Shya
The chaotic, shifting density of Hong Kong's cityscapes is a strong inspiration for Wing's work, which spans photography, graphic design, visual art, and film.
The chaotic, shifting density of Hong Kong's cityscapes is a strong inspiration for Wing's work, which spans photography, graphic design, visual art, and film.
Wing Shya