   |
Interview with Shui Wo Tin
Photos reflect simple humanity
Water
Poon participates in the Caring
for Children Foundation. (Karen Tong)
By Karen Tong
Water
Poon, 57, has been taking pictures for over 30 years. He is known to
the public as Shui Wo Tin, which means “water straw field”
in English.
Although awarded Photographer of the Year by the Hong Kong Artists Guild
in 1988, he refuses to call himself a photographer. He feels that the
title is too flattering and that he has a lot of room for improvement.
Question:
Why and when did you choose your picturesque penname?
Answer: I started to use this name in my articles in
the 1970s. At that time, many people were active in literature development.
I chose the name because the three Chinese characters of water, straw
and field compose my surname — Poon.
Q:
When did you start taking photos?
A: I learned photography in the early 1970s when I
studied graphic design at the Hong Kong Polytechnic Institution, which
is now known as the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Q:
Was your passion for photography influenced by family or teachers?
A: My family runs a medical business. It was Mr. Cheng,
my photography teacher, who inspired me and changed my life. I collected
his photos and published a collection entitled Black and White
after he passed away to commemorate him.
Q:
How has your photographic style changed over the last 30 years?
A: It’s getting more simple and plain. Simplicity
refreshes me. In the early years, I had lots of fantasies and I looked
for something fancy and attractive. I wanted to achieve recognition
and be appreciated. As I grew older, I visited more places and realized
how enormous the world is. I now understand that there is a lot more
than fame or achievement in one’s life, and I should take moments
to savor life. My style has shifted gradually from sophistication to
simplicity.
Q:
What obstacles have you faced over the years and how did you overcome
them?
A: There were so many times in which my plans for publishing
a book or organizing an exhibit ended in failure. I was a little upset,
of course. But I understand that everything has its appropriate time,
so I won’t look back and feel pity. Time is eternal, but I am
not; therefore, I can’t afford to waste time regretting or blaming.
We should look inside ourselves and find where the faith, strength and
perseverance lie. No matter what failures or successes we come up against,
we should treat them as depots and keep moving on. We should try to
cherish every moment that we have, those that can be devoted to meaningful
things.
Q:
Which subject appeals to you most when taking pictures?
A: Human beings. The simplicity of life and society
really attracts me. To me, photography can be divided into three areas
– fun, commercial and social. My focus is on the last area.
Q:
What do you think is the role of a photographer?
A: Actually, photography is more than an art. It is
an effective and efficient medium for communication. I cannot establish
any standard role a photographer should play, since everyone has different
experiences and thus a different attitude. To me, my biggest role is
to reflect reality and try to involve more photography in social work.
Preserving Chinese culture is another point to my photographic angle.
Q:
You are participating in a few programs for the Caring for Children
Foundation. Are those examples of “social work”?
A: Yes, definitely. The foundation was set up mainly
by local singers, actors and directors. It was established in 1993,
when the disastrous flooding occurred in the Huadong region. I’m
involved in their rehabilitation programs and other supporting work.
Providing assistance for the children in the Mainland is our goal. I
truly hope that the sorrows I’ve captured will remain only in
documentaries and not happen again. Misfortunes are bygones. A brighter
future is what we should look forward to.
Q:
What do you think are the qualities of a good photographer?
A: That depends on what kind of photography you’re
referring to. For the commercial type, I think creativity may be needed,
but this is not what I’m focusing on. To me, sensitivity, sensation,
and observation are all important. It’s better to be passionate
and sensitive about the world if a photographer wants to reflect the
truth or capture humanity. Everything around us can be taken as a good
photo, but what matters is if one can discover that or not. In addition,
I think humility is the base of unlimited knowledge. A Chinese idiom
says, “There’s always a higher mountain.” Keeping
this idiom in mind helps me to learn and appreciate more about others.
Q:
What is your current goal?
A: Well, my goal is simply to try my best to do more
caring work and meaningful things, particularly for the Caring for Children
Foundation. As I’ve mentioned, life is short, I want to contribute
to the world even if I am just one in a billion. I feel that I am getting
older and can’t stand a very tough job, but the feeling of being
able to contribute pushes me to the top, motivating me to work harder.
Q:
What is your motto in life?
A: “Improve every day, strive to excel,”
which was a saying of Chairman Mao Zedong. I try to seize every opportunity
to challenge myself and combat all hardships. Life is short and that’s
why I think we should utilize the time we have to do more meaningful
things which can help make this world a better one.
Q:
Which character of your penname best illustrates you?
A: Shui, because I am shui pei,
which means “with a weak ability” in Chinese. I have never
felt that I’ve done something huge or whatever. Instead, I sow
and reap, gently, without hoping for anything.
Poon says this elderly woman was unimaginably optimistic and tough, although she had lost everyone she loves. He was deeply moved when she gave him a "shuangxi" paper cutting, meaning "double happiness" in English. (Courtesy of Water Poon)