Karen Chan is a climbing photographer from Hong Kong. Thank you Karen for sharing your talent with us and allowing us to get to know you a little better!
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First, it’s always fun to find out about your climbing history. Tell us about when you began to climb, why, and your favorite type or style of climbing.
I began to climb about 5 years ago. I climb because rock climbing looks cool and it's a fun workout! I don’t really have any favorite types of climbing - just no dynos or powerful moves! I prefer climbing without being nervous. I can say I am always an "experienced beginner." Tell us about what is it like to climb in Hong Kong? Are the crags crowded? Hong Kong is one of the best climbing places in Asia. It provides good quality bouldering, sport, or traditional climbing, whether it's a sea cliff or a mountain. It's also really easy to get to the crags because of convenient transportation. Popular crags like Beacon Hill and Tung Lung Chau are always crowded during weekends. What are some of your favorite places to climb in the Hong Kong area? Are those different from favorite places to take climbing photos? If so, why? Beacon Hill and Tung Lung are my favorite places to climb. Beacon Hill has a short and easy access. Tung Lung is a great place to chill after climb. Both are not great for climbing photos because they are almost always crowded. |
Gloria Leung (IG: @girlsgoneclimbing) is on "End of the World" at Tung Lung Chau, Hong Kong.
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Is there much traditional climbing in Hong Kong?
Traditional climbing is not as popular as sport climbing in Hong Kong. There are probably less than 300 routes.
Traditional climbing is not as popular as sport climbing in Hong Kong. There are probably less than 300 routes.
Channing Lai (IG: @chan___ning) is on "Bring the Ruckus" at Black Link Buttress, Hong Kong.
Have you traveled outside of Hong Kong to climb? If so where?
I went to Yangshuo, Qing Yuan, MaShan and Shihu in China.
I went to Yangshuo, Qing Yuan, MaShan and Shihu in China.
Ola Przybysz (IG: @przybyszola) is on "Aiding and Abetting" at White Mountain, Yangshuo, China.
Climbing is very popular in many Asian countries like Korea and Japan. How popular is climbing in Hong Kong?
It is not as popular as in Korea or Japan but you can tell it is increasing in popularity because of the number of bouldering gyms that have opened over the past few years. Hong Kong has also organized some bouldering competitions like the IFSC (International Federation of Sport Climbing) Asian Cup. The increase in media coverage has definitely made climbing more known and popular.
How did you get into climbing photography?
I brought my camera to on my first time climbing . I loved it!
Do you feel a struggle between going climbing versus photographing climbing?
Not really. I choose to photograph climbing. But, if I really want to climb, I won’t bring the camera. If I bring my camera, I will only take photos!
It is not as popular as in Korea or Japan but you can tell it is increasing in popularity because of the number of bouldering gyms that have opened over the past few years. Hong Kong has also organized some bouldering competitions like the IFSC (International Federation of Sport Climbing) Asian Cup. The increase in media coverage has definitely made climbing more known and popular.
How did you get into climbing photography?
I brought my camera to on my first time climbing . I loved it!
Do you feel a struggle between going climbing versus photographing climbing?
Not really. I choose to photograph climbing. But, if I really want to climb, I won’t bring the camera. If I bring my camera, I will only take photos!
Yuji Hirayama (IG: @yuji_hirayama_stonerider) on "Flight" at Ma Dai Hero Crag, Hong Kong.
Do you feel like you have developed a style of photography? If so, how would you describe it?
My style of photography focuses on landscape and action. For the action shot, I will always ask the climbers about the crux in advance so I can plan the shoots for the try-hard face or dyno move.
William Wing Ki Chan (IG: @travel4climb) is on "Maze Runner" at Sok Kwu Buttress, Lamma Island, Hong Kong.
Do you have any goals or visions with respect to your photography or climbing photography?
My goal is to try different kinds of photography and then mix with the climbing photography. I'd love to create another style.
Alexandra Ladurner (IG: @alexandra.ladurner) on "Moon Light Snake" at Beacon Hill, Hong Kong.
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Do you have any goals or visions with your climbing? Not really. I mainly focused on climbing photography at the moment. Here in the U.S. COVID-19 is out of control. What is happening with COVID-19 over there in Hong Kong? How have climbers handled it? We all wear masks in public and inside the gyms. We generally don't need to wear mask when doing outdoor exercises [if there is enough distance between people.] What's something you’d like our readers to know? Any last words? Many people asked me what to wear for climbing photos. Wear bright colors and red is often the best. |
Scott Odell (IG: @scottwilsonodell) on "Glitter and Gold" at Kowloon Peak, Hong Kong.
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Angel Liu (IG: @angel.liuliu) is on "All The Way West" at Ma Dai Hero Crag, Hong Kong.
Follow Karen Chan at:
INSTAGRAM: @kcphotographyhk
WEBSITE: www.karenchan.photography
FACEBOOK: @karenchanphotography, https://www.facebook.com/karenchanphotography
INSTAGRAM: @kcphotographyhk
WEBSITE: www.karenchan.photography
FACEBOOK: @karenchanphotography, https://www.facebook.com/karenchanphotography