Bamboo Scenes Photography Artist Sharon Liu, Hong Kong
The vibrancy of New York City is what sparked Sharon Liu’s unconditional love of photography. Shooting gave her the power to capture moments, document her points of view, and make moments last a lifetime.
For Sharon, the power of photography lies in an image’s ability to recall strong emotions and feelings. She believes in being able to transport audiences to another dimension—through time and space—to connect with their memories and moments.
Hong Kong’s pulsing heart, full of opportunity, diversity, color, and layers, is what drives Sharon’s photography now. Through her photography art prints, she aims to show that Hong Kong is the kind of place where you can truly live a lifestyle that’s both energetic and draining, overwhelming and liberating.
Sharon aims to show that Hong Kong is the kind of place where you can truly live a lifestyle that’s both energetic and draining, overwhelming and liberating.
“Old Fashion” (2017) by Sharon Liu - Kowloon, Hong Kong
What was your first camera? Which camera would you suggest for photographers that are just starting out?
My first camera was the Canon Rebel, and I definitely recommend it in terms of price, usability, and image quality
What editing software do you like to use? Do you have any quick tips for editing photographs?
I use Lightroom and I love it. The presets on Lightroom are fantastic
What do you find the most challenging aspect of taking unique, interesting photos when traveling?
Time. I love to wander to find inspiration while traveling and take my time to try different ways to photograph the same thing. I lost track of time. And when you are traveling, you just don’t have the time to do that. It kills me to have to rush through photos!
"Burberry" (2015) by Sharon Liu - Kowloon, Hong Kong
What inspires your photography?
My mood and my surroundings.
What photographers have influenced your style the most? What do you like about them?
David Elliott, my husband, has been an inspiration of mine. Unlike a lot of photographers, his focus is not to capture the moment. He creates masterpieces by finding beauty in the most ordinary objects.
How is your personality reflected in your work?
I think I am a little bit airy and unpredictable, and a little bit of a dreamer. Those traits are seen in lots of my work.
“Murakami’s Louis” (2015) by Sharon Liu - Kowloon, Hong Kong
What does Hong Kong mean to you and your photography?
Hong Kong is a city that has left the biggest imprint on my heart and I still dream of the day that I return to photograph more.
The layers of the city are just unreal. There’s no place like Hong Kong. It’s so modern yet traditional. It’s conflicted and confused, but somehow, it works. It’s so unique and so stuck in the middle, yet it is the perfect blend of the old and new worlds. It’s a place where I had lost myself, and found myself again.
Sharon describes Hong Kong as "the perfect blend of the old and new worlds."
What advice would you give to today's young aspiring photographers?
It’s not about the images themselves. It’s really about how they make you feel.
What are your photography goals for 2021?
Take more photos, haha!
Why did you choose Bamboo Scenes to showcase your artwork?
Because Madelon is a super badass. Seriously.
“Martini” (2017) by Sharon Liu - Kowloon, Hong Kong
What is your favorite photography from your collection at Bamboo Scenes?
ALL OF THEM! Seriously though, “Martini” is probably my personal favourite.
You were living in New York when you fell in love with photography. What was it about the city that inspired this?
New York is so romantic and dark. It’s an emotional place. When I was living in New York, I loved the endless street photography.
You're particularly drawn to the emotional connection that photographs can create. Why? And how is this represented in your work?
Great question! I feel that photographs are expressions of emotions and feelings that are frozen in time and like most art, they evoke emotions and connect us on that deeper level. When I look at my image, “Old Fashion,” I remember standing high above the city that night, how lustful the city lights were in the distance, and how free it felt to be away from the busy city while being able to watch its beauty from a distance. Those emotions and feelings are still there when I look at that image.
Check out Sharon’s full Bamboo Scenes collection here!