The image of Hong Kong as a landscape of skyscrapers and neon dominates the guidebooks. If only they would ask Luiz Antonio Souza to take the photographs.
His atmospheric pictures of the territory's natural side, which feature in his book The Natural Beauty of Hong Kong - A Photographic Journey, are enchanting. The work is a captivating visual exploration of the 'hidden' Hong Kong: its diverse landscape of unspoilt islands, coves, beaches, mountains and cliffs.
Souza's eye for the dramatic reveals a fresh take on familiar scenes: Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve, at the mouth of the Tolo Channel; the High Island coastline (bottom) and the outer islands of Rocky Harbour; the Ninepin Islands (below); the south coast of Lantau; and Mai Po marshes are just some of the locations that are transformed by his vision.
His love of photography and nature has taken Souza to remote parts of the world and his underwater, wildlife and travel location images have appeared in international publications. He has spent the past three years photographing the natural landscape of Hong Kong and his affection for the subject is evident in his book.
'I've been overwhelmed by its beauty,' he says.
Souza's dedication extends to visiting locations several times to photograph them - camping overnight and waking just before sunrise to capture them in the 'perfect' light. He rates the coastal cliffs south of the East Dam, at High Island Reservoir and the Ninepin Islands as world class in their natural beauty, specifically for their 'volcanic columnar tuff features'.
