Saturday, May 5, 2012

Zap and Advertising (This week's Photo Hunt themes)

 

How does one capture a zap in a photograph?  And how does one link images of zap with advertising?  Those were the questions that Sandi and Gattina got me pondering by way of their choice of Photo Hunt themes for this week.

Fortunately, I had a (zappy?) "eureka" moment that involved my realizing that lots of advertising in Hong Kong requires zaps of electricity in order to really "shine".  So, viola, here's presenting three photos taken in Mongkok -- illustrating precisely that point!


For my part, I'd agree that Mongkok and certain other parts of Hong Kong (such as Causeway Bay) do suffer from light pollution -- a large part of which comes from the kind of neon advertising that can captivate tourists and shutterbugs.  On the flip side of things though, I think that well lit streets -- together with associated ample foot traffic -- do contribute to making "Asia's World City" feel like -- and actually be -- a place where women regularly and safely walk about at night with little fear of such as muggers.  

And this taking back of the night(s)  is something I personally really do appreciate and enjoy; particularly after years spent in places like Philadelphia, particularly West Philly -- whose often too dimly lit streets don't see much foot traffic at night, and for a good reason!

27 comments:

magiceye said...

:)love the way you have combined the two themes!

Trekcapri said...

Hi YTSL, huge kudos in combining the two themes this week. I do find that I'm way more comfortable in well lit places than dark secluded places.

Love your colorful light pollution. :) Have a wonderful weekend.

Anonymous said...

you perfectly fused the two themes together. great job. i'm positive that you will not have trouble finding advertising in hk :)

Suzy said...

Loved the pics and the way you wove both themes together. Thanks for visiting my blog.

MaR said...

While I think advertising was easy for you :) it required creativity to link both themes, well done.

advertising ~zap

YTSL said...

Hi magiceye --

Thanks, I'm happy that you do. :)

Hi Trekcapri --

Thanks for reading as well as looking. Re the colorful light pollution: I'm pretty okay for the most part with the non-blinking neon signs but have to say that the flashing ones can be a bit much for me... in particular one that's visible from my bedroom window! ;)

Hi ewok1993 --

Teehee re having no trouble finding advertising in Hong Kong. The funny thing about living amidst so much of it is that, believe it or not, you get so blase you can sometimes almost forget they're there! :b

Hi Suzy --

Thank you re visiting my blog and you're welcome re my visiting yours. Reciprocity is indeed a cool thing. :)

Hi Mar --

Thanks for the kind compliments. Appreciate them. :)

Phoenix said...

Gorgeous pictures and what a great take on both themes! Thanks for sharing! :)

Luna Miranda said...

marvelous night photos for the two themes. the neon lights can be a deterrent to street criminals, but it's difficult to live in an area with all these lights. i need total darkness in order to sleep.:p

Gattina said...

Beautiful and so colorful photos !

LifeRamblings said...

great photos. i love Mongkok and the neon lights enhance the beauty of the streets especially at night. did you use a tripod?

Sue said...

I love the bright colourful signs! We have a take back the night here in Toronto, and I too think its a great idea.

Anonymous said...

Lots of zapping electricity in those pictures!

YTSL said...

Hi Phoenix --

Thanks, glad you like my takes on the theme. :)

Hi Luna Miranda --

Wow re total darkness... guess you could always draw the window curtains completely... ;b

Hi Gattina --

Yeah, I'm happy how colorful the photos turned out! :)

Hi LifeRamblings --

No, I didn't use a tripod. Actually, I don't own a tripod... yet! ;b

Hi Sue --

Hope you get to take back the nightS in Toronto.

Hi JDeQ --

You betcha! ;b

Carver said...

Great idea for the themes. The neon lights do require that zap of electricity. Also, good point about feeling safer with all the lights. I hope you're having a great weekend.

ancient one said...

Good Ideas for Zap!

Annie said...

Nice photos. I like the way neon looks at night.

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Awesome! Those neon lights are zappy :-)
Now what are you going to 'scoop' up for next weekend?
~ Sandi

Vicki said...

I live out in the country, so really love seeing all these neon signs!!

YTSL said...

Hi Carver --

The weekend's been good, so far -- thanks. Wish the team I support (Arsenal) had won -- then yesterday would have been great. As it is, I still have a hike and a movie to look forward to before the weekend draws to a close. :)

Hi Ancient One --

Thanks! :)

Hi Annie --

The neon does have its charms... ;)

Hi Sandi --

Hmmm re scoop. Probably won't start thinking in earnest about that challenge until Friday evening... ;b

Hi Vicki --

Can see how my photos would seem like they're showing a really different world from yours! :b

ancient one said...

Thanks for coming by to see my Zap... I'm so sorry your little 9 year old self got stung by jellyfish...

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Hongkong's bling bling sign boards are famous,

I do a reflection every Sat before I do the Zap.

YTSL said...

Hi ancient one --

Yes, well, I still have the scars to prove it but well, I survived! And have to say I've taken my revenge on countless jellyfish since I've eaten quite a few of them since! ;b

Hi Ann --

You're right re the neon lights of Hong Kong being a famous sight. I think some people think ALL Hong Kong streets are so shiny. Fortunately, that's not the case! :b

eastcoastlife said...

I love to shoot the colourful and bright neon advertisements of Hong Kong, but I am not using them for this week's theme.

I am late becos I scheduled the post for 5th June before I left for my Vesak day holiday. haha...

YTSL said...

Hi EastCoastLife --

I actually don't have that many photos of neon lighting in Hong Kong, believe it or not. Rather, I have way more photos of Hong Kong wildlife and natural scenery! ;b

Hootin Anni said...

Excellent images!!!!! What a great share. And I also enjoyed viewing your spidery post above.

CherryPie said...

Cool zappy adverts :-)

YTSL said...

Hi Hootin' Anni --

Thanks for checking out this Photo Hunt entry and also the one about spiders above it! :)

Hi CherryPie --

Do you think they're zippy too? ;)