From law to lenses, how former legal eagle Michael Liu captures each moment
Retired lawyer-turned-author and jade expert finally has the time to pursue his passion for wildlife photography
This story was originally published in XXIV magazine 2018
Since retiring from a demanding career in law, Michael Liu, author of In Pursuit of Fine Jades: Ming Court Belt Plaques, has remained active. Apart from collecting and writing about fine and rare jade, he is pursuing his interest in bird and wildlife photography and honing his badminton skills. These activities keep the lawyer-turned-author on track.
“Before retirement, my priority was always work and business,” Liu says as we take in Central’s skyscrapers from On Dining Kitchen & Lounge’s outdoor terrace in On Lan Street. “However, if you have lived the life of a corporate lawyer in a major financial centre for over 30 years, you definitely need outside interests to keep your balance and a sharp focus.
If you have lived the life of a corporate lawyer in a major financial centre for over 30 years, you definitely need outside interests to keep your balance and a sharp focus
“Happily for Hong Kong, everything has a business angle to it, be it golfing, music, sports or the arts. In many ways, the friends and contacts you make outside your direct sphere of work can sometimes be even more valuable in the business context.”
Liu has been keen on photography from a young age. “When autofocus technology was introduced in the late eighties, I began to focus on wildlife photography, but this came to almost a complete halt when our children arrived, and for a good 15 years or so photography meant only taking photos of them in their activities, often ‘begging’ for their cooperation.”
A safari in Tanzania a few years ago rekindled Liu’s interest and since his retirement he has spent a lot of time learning how to make full use of the advanced features of digital cameras.