Mike Yamashita Talks About The Outlying Islands Of Hong Kong

Mike Yamashita has been a professional photographer for decades and his work is well known in worldwide magazines such as National Geographic. Asia is his photographic area of specialty though he has travelled widely, on six continents.

In the interview below, Mike speaks about his achievements and throws out a few little surprises.

Fordie: You have been shooting for National Geographic for over 30 years. What have been your high-points?

Mike: My highest points were those assignments that led to projects beyond the magazine - Mekong River, Japanese Gardens, Marco Polo, Zheng He, Great Wall, which all led to books as well as TV documentaries in the cases of Marco Polo and Zheng He. I guess it was Marco Polo that had the greatest impact - an 82 page, 3 part series, a book that sold 240,000 copies and is now in 14 languages and a documentary that is among the top 30 to ever run on the National Geographic Channel and numerous exhibitions around the world.

Fordie: Which was your most interesting assignment?

Mike: I have been shooting for National Geographic now for 32 years, and I’m working on my 32nd story for the "Yellow Borders," not to mention numerous books, National Geographic Traveler and National Geographic Adventure Magazine assignments as well as TV documentaries. The most interesting is whichever one I’m working on at the moment. Right now, I’m working on the Tibetan Plateau on a story about a worm called Yartsa Gombu, the world’s most expensive herbal medicine, which is changing the face of Tibet.

Fordie: How many photographic workshops have you taught?

Mike: I taught at all the biggies; Maine for 10 plus years, Toscana Photographic Workshops for 7 years, Santa Fe, Palm Beach. I used to spend a month every summer doing the workshop circuit with my family. But as my daughter got older, I had to back off as her particular needs as a special education kid made it harder for her to take summers off. And traveling as much as I do, 6 months a year, makes the time that I spend with my family when at home of highest priority. I was on hiatus for a number of years and started travel workshops recently, if they are in my area of interest and expertise, which is Asia.

Fordie: How would you describe your teaching style?

Mike: I often say in slide lectures to photography groups and workshops around the world, "I am your best dream." I started as hobbyist, never took a course in photography and yet somehow found myself working for the best magazines in the business. But I’m still an amateur at heart. I see it as my job to impart that 30 plus years of experience into solid know how.

I believe in a hands on approach. I like going out with my students on location and solving problems on the spot, through encouragement as well as example. I like working with each photographer individually, watching how they approach their subjects and then giving advice as to how they might do it better. I give the photographers a method of pre-visualizing and then working the subject to make the best picture in any situation. Then as a group, we review the day's shoot, each photographer choosing his or her 10 best, and I give an honest critique, emphasizing how the photograph might be improved on and /or praising what makes it successful. Real learning often happens after the critiques, when the problems are identified and there is a chance to get it right the next day.

Fordie: I see from your site that you are also a volunteer fireman. How did you get started in that?

Mike: This year will be my 25th as a volunteer fire fighter for Ralston Engine Co. #1 in Mendham, NJ. I was coaxed into joining by some of my neighbors who were volunteers and I thought it would be a good way to give back to my community where I have lived for 30 years. I call it, "boys with big toys" - the fire trucks, fire fighting apparatus, the drills and the camaraderie all appeal to me, not to mention it all makes for good pictures.

Fordie: Do you have any interesting tales to tell?

Mike: Every year I give a big slide show at the fireman's dinner, which is the highlight of the evening. They all love having their picture taken and it keeps me sharp, taking pictures on the weeks I’m home between assignments. Of course, putting out fires and saving property and sometimes lives is the first priority and gets my full attention, but there are many other situations where I can just roam with my camera, shooting pictures and getting closer than any other photographer gets as I'm wearing the yellow turnout gear. The ideal situation is what we call “surround and drown.” That’s when the house is a goner that can’t be saved and water is applied just to keep the fire from spreading and I get to shoot it all from inside the police barrier. Fire makes for good pictures.

Fordie: How many times have you been to Hong Kong?

Mike: Hong Kong is a regular stop for me on my routes in and out of China and SE Asia. I use it as my base, I have a gallery there (Picture This Gallery) and have guest privileges at the FCC (Foreign Correspondences Club). I have a brother who lives there, as well as many friends. A stop in Hong Kong is the beginning or end of most every China assignment.

Fordie: Where do you normally stay, what do you normally do there?

Mike: I stay in hotels from 1 to 5 stars, depending on who’s paying, but all Hong Kong hotels are famous for their good service and high quality. I had the good fortune of doing a story on Hong Kong’s reversion to China and had the chance to sample and shoot from every hotel I thought would make a unique vantage point. That included the YMCA, Peninsula and Intercontinental in Kowloon to the Grand Hyatt and Ritz Carlton on Hong Kong Island.

Fordie: What do you like to eat while in Hong Kong?

Mike: Food is one of the greatest highlights and pleasure of being in Hong Kong. It is truly a culinary crossroads of the world. I in fact once did a story for a food magazine with that title. From street food and dim sum to lavish buffets, we will be eating well every meal in this workshop. I am a foodie.

Fordie: What do you least like about the city?

Mike: It's hard for me to think of any thing I don't like about the city - maybe it's the air pollution that comes rolling in from China, or the hot and humid summer combined with overly cold air conditioning?

Fordie: How many of the outlying Islands have you visited before?

Mike: I did a story, a number of years ago, on the Outer Islands for the travel magazine of the Dinner's Club Signature, now Condé Nast Traveler. I photographed Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, Lantau and Lamma. During the Hong Kong handover to China I visited Ma Wan and Tsing Yi to shoot from the top of the bridge.

Fordie: We will be using the public ferry system in Hong Kong to access most of the islands we visit. Do you see any advantages to this versus using private charter vessels?

Mike: Ferries can also provide photo ops, shooting passengers as well as the sailors working aboard. I like taking ferries to experience life the way the locals do. From the upper decks you can get a higher angle than from a small charter craft.

Fordie: Which parts of the workshop will be new to you?

Mike: Po Tai and Tung Ping Chau are new to me. I hope to see some new angles on the harbor, as well as get good pics of local markets and culture on these more off the beaten path islands away from the tourism crowd. Also, the Hong Kong Geopark is new and should make for some interesting landscapes. But the best part is I will be returning to places I haven’t visited in over 10 years, so I will be seeing everything with fresh eyes.

Fordie: What will be the main subject matter?

Mike: My main interest will be the lifestyles of the locals, who I imagine will be the Hakkas from Fujian and Guangdong provinces on the mainland. They are one of China’s most colorful immigrant groups, dressed in blue tunics with wide brimmed hats with fringe.

Fordie: What style of images will you be aiming to capture?

Mike: The fact that we will be visiting villages on islands way off the tourist path, I have high hopes for friendly exchanges and more intimate situations, making for strong environmental portraits.

Fordie: How can participants best prepare for the workshop?

Mike: Know your camera and work flow, and make sure your gear is in good working order.

Fordie: Is any special equipment required for the workshop?

Mike: Nothing special for equipment, just basics – DSLR, tripod, maybe a couple of zoom lenses, plenty of flash cards and a laptop.