When the South China Morning Post contacted Photoart - the monthly photographic journal founded by Yau Leung, who died suddenly last week - for this article, those who had worked closely with the veteran photographer were still distressed and in shock.
'I doubt his relatives will talk to you,' one former colleague said. 'Many Chinese newspapers have asked me to comment on his work but I don't think I am in the position, nor is it appropriate for me, to do so.
'Yau Leung always worked independently and there is no doubt he was well respected in this profession.' Indeed, when the Post interviewed Yau in March last year about his works, published in the pictorial book Photo Hong Kong 1950s-1970s, the 55-year-old editor came across as both friendly and helpful.
A moving tribute to 'Uncle Yau Leung', published in Ming Pao last Friday, described Yau's approach to his subjects and relationship with people as 'unpretentious and reticent'.
As for his work, Yau once said: 'My photographs are realistic, but also aesthetic.' As critics point out, his photographs also found, captured and treasured Yau's own interpretations of the mood and atmosphere of his times.
Born in Hong Kong, Yau was best known for his 'realistic' photographs that reflect the social changes throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
In the days when he worked as in-house photographer for local movie companies, Yau used to take shots of leading actors and actresses at the height of their careers.
