Thoughts On Street Photography
Thoughts On Street Photography by Ho Fan (Reprint Edition)
Publisher: WE Press
Originally published in 1959, Street Photography Notes is a rare and important work by the legendary Hong Kong photographer Ho Fan (1931–2016). In this book, Ho Fan reflects on dozens of his images, sharing insights into the art and practice of street photography, and exploring its theory and aesthetics.
This new edition features a convertible cover design—every copy purchased through WE Press comes with two collectible cover cards featuring Ho Fan’s archival images, allowing readers to choose their preferred cover.
Inside, readers will find 16 chapters plus a foreword, compiled from Ho Fan’s serialized writings in Haiguang Biweekly. It also includes a short autobiography and 64 photographs—some award-winning, others never before published. Nine of these images had already earned international recognition at the time.
More than a photobook, Street Photography Notes offers a window into the creative journey of one of Asia’s greatest photographers. Ho Fan’s reflections on photography, creativity, and life accompany his images of Hong Kong’s streets and people—capturing the city’s humanity, resilience, and soul at a time of rapid change. Today, these photographs remain invaluable records of a bygone era.
“A truly good photograph does not lie in the camera, but in yourself—your eyes, your mind, your heart. It’s not about the cold machine.” — Ho Fan
Highlights
-
Convertible cover with collectible image cards
-
64 photographs, including 9 international award winners
-
Ho Fan’s original 1959 writings, plus a short autobiography
-
Bestseller: Ranked No.1 in Art at Eslite Bookstore (Hong Kong)
About Fan Ho
Born in Shanghai in 1931, Ho Fan moved to Hong Kong in 1949. At just 14, with a Kodak Brownie gifted by his father, he won his first award; by 18, he was photographing with his beloved Rolleiflex twin-lens camera—the same camera with which he would create his most iconic works.
Celebrated as the “Henri Cartier-Bresson of the East,” Ho Fan was admired for his patience in waiting for the perfect moment and his mastery of light, shadow, and atmosphere. His images of Hong Kong’s laborers, vendors, street children, and everyday life resonate with humanity and timeless beauty.
During his prolific youth, Ho Fan won nearly 300 local and international awards between 1950–1965, and his influence extended to cinema, both as an actor and director. He was a member of the Royal Photographic Society (UK), the Royal Society of Arts (UK), and an honorary member of numerous international photography organizations.
His works are held in major private and public collections worldwide.
+++
Language: Chinese
Format: Softcover | 231 pages
Dimensions: 148 x 210mm | 500g
ISBN: 978-988-79341-8-9
Enjoy Free Delivery on Orders Over MYR 150 Within West Malaysia!
Shop your favorites and get free delivery when you spend MYR 150 or more. Available for delivery addresses within West Malaysia, so you can enjoy convenient shopping with no extra shipping costs!
Delivery lead times are 7-10 business days within Malaysia and 10-21 business days for other locations.
We have a 15-day return policy, which means you have 15-days after receiving your item to request a return.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You will also need the receipt or proof of purchase.
You can contact us at info@zontiga.com to request for a return. Once accepted, we will send you a link to return your item via shipping provider.
Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will NOT be accepted.
Some items on our site have limited stock. If an item is out of stock, you may have the option to pre-order it. Please note that delivery times for pre-ordered typically range from 4 to 8 weeks, unless specified otherwise.
We recommend checking product availability and delivery estimates before placing your order to ensure a smooth shopping experience. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to fulfill your order.
Support the Zontiga Photobook Library by co-donating a book! Use the code donate2library at checkout to purchase a book at a 50% discount—Zontiga will cover the other 50%.
Please note that the book won’t be shipped to you; it will be sent directly to our library. As a token of our appreciation, you’ll receive a thank you gift from us.
Your contribution helps us expand the library and make it accessible to more photography enthusiasts. Thank you for your generous support! To learn more about the Zontiga Photobook Library, click here!