William Shum, a photographer known for capturing the essence of Hong Kong, has won an award in the 2025 Mobile Photography awards for his striking image of a red taxi passing by a densely layered residential building in Yau Ma Tei. The photo, taken on an iPhone 13 Pro Max, showcases the contrast between the city's iconic taxis and its compact architecture.
The Perfect Shot
Shum described Yau Ma Tei as "one of the region's older and most characterful districts. I'm always drawn to this area because it feels authentic and full of local life. Older residential buildings, street-level shops and constant traffic show a very recognisable side of the city." He waited half an hour on the far side of the road for a taxi to pass by. "I wanted it to appear centrally in the frame so that it would sit in balance with the massive building; I knew it would only work in the exact right position. Because the background is visually busy and detailed, the taxi needed to feel deliberate and precise."
Composition and Contrast
Shum's eye was drawn to the contrast between the passing vehicle in the foreground and the residential building in the background. "The building is full of repeating windows and air-conditioning units, which creates a dense and layered background, while in front the taxi appears in a very simple and clean shape," he explains. "Two things are instantly recognisable here: the city's compact residential architecture and its iconic red taxis. This image brings those together."
Shum had breakfast in the area before his day of street photography, then set up burst mode on his iPhone 13 Pro Max to capture several frames in quick succession. The winning image is a testament to patience and precise timing, highlighting the unique visual harmony of Hong Kong's urban landscape.
