“I'm always contemplating how these scenes would be composed if they were captured by a Hollywood director.” ‒ Hugo Lee
Short profile
Hugo Lee is from Hong Kong and lives in the UK. He came to photography rather by chance after studying graphic design and has now been working full-time as a street photographer for 10 years. From a young age, he was enchanted by the power of cinema. In the interview, he talks about what a former boss's austerity measures have to do with his photography career, which film directors inspire him the most, and what his first camera was.
6 QUESTIONS TO HUGO LEE
Can you tell us a bit about how you became a photographer? And tell us something about your pictures.
I graduated with a degree in graphic design, but I never thought I would become a photographer. It wasn't until I started my first graphic design job that things changed. My company had a lot of business events, and my boss wanted to save money, so he knew I had an interest in photography and asked if I could help take photos. So I recklessly agreed, and from that point on, I started taking more and more photos. Gradually, it evolved into me becoming a full-time photographer.
Photo: Hugo Lee
Please share something about your images. What is your special interest? How do you choose the colors, composition, themes etc.?
When we walk down the street, 90% of the time we just see ordinary daily scenes. However, I aim to transform these ordinary scenes into cinematic moments, similar to stills from a movie. I'm always searching for the perfect lighting and contemplating how these scenes would be composed if they were captured by a Hollywood director. My colour choice influenced in cinematography and some 80s nostalgia colours.
Where does this interest come from?
I watched a lot of sci-fi and Japanese movies when I was a teenager, and many scenes from those movies are still vivid in my mind.
Photo: Hugo Lee
How do you get inspired? And what inspires you the most? Films, books, or magazines? Or what surrounds you?
The movies of the 80s and 90s have deeply inspired me, especially those directed by David Fincher and Wong Kar Wai. Additionally, the urban environments of Japan and Hong Kong have influenced me a lot. I love the nostalgic colors of the analog world and the neon lights of the city.
Photo: Hugo Lee
What was your first camera?
My first camera is the Lumix GH2, which my father gave me. At that moment, I still didn't have an idea what sensor it had, but I just used it to shoot.
What else should we know about you?
My name is Hugo Lee. I studied graphic design and have been working as a full-time wedding photographer for the past 10 years. Recently, I discovered my true passion for street photography and have been taking it more seriously since 2021.
