Cheung Chi-wai | South China Morning Post

Q: So you're a real shutterbug, right?

A: No, I'm not a photographer, I'm a photograph researcher. It's not easy to be a photographer - I just use photographs for research.

Q: What are you looking to capture with your photographs?

A: The history of performing arts in Hong Kong.

Q: Your first book is a collection of 300 photographs. What's the significance of it? Why did those shots make the cut?

A: They're all portraits. When I was studying in New York for a year in 1997 I'd see these books of portrait photographs there and I realised that they didn't exist in Hong Kong. I want to send the book overseas to show people that performing arts in Hong Kong is not just about Cantonese opera.

Q: What did you learn while studying in the US?

A: Before I went there, I was depressed and had no confidence. I was just taking photographs and didn't feel I had any support. I wanted to leave Hong Kong. But in the US I realised that Hong Kong was the place for me. People don't claim to be artists in Hong Kong, it's not seen as being acceptable. Hong Kong gives me a challenge in changing this way of thinking.

Q: You run a photography workshop sponsored by the Youth Arts Festival. What is the best advice you have given your students?

A: I tell them that it is the person who looks at the photograph that is the most important.

Q: How do you help them?

A: Empowering my students is very important, they must do what they believe in. I try to focus on their self-confidence. Taking photos is nothing - they need to believe in what they do. Participating in the YAF is inspiring. You teach and talk to them.

Q: What's the biggest obstacle facing aspiring photographers in Hong Kong?

A: They want to take a beautiful picture in the shortest time. However, the world's not a simple place and it takes time to do it well.

Q: How much time do you devote to photography?

A: Whenever I'm not sleeping.

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