Photo Essay: 2020 in My Eyes
Intro
The unprecedented year of 2020 will be gone soon. It’s a year of “social distancing”, a year of “mask on”, a year of no travel, and a year of work from home for many. When we look back into our history someday, what will remain in your memory about 2020?
I have picked 30 photos from my work of street photography throughout the year and put them altogether here as a collection of my memory about 2020. What we call “new normal” now will just become the “normal” soon. What we like or dislike will become part of our traditions anyway. But what have we learned on earth about 2020? That’s the most important question for us and many generations to come.
All photos were taken in Hong Kong on GRIII and iPhone 11 Pro.
Part 1: Hong Kong like never before
In 2020, social distancing is defined as the “new normal”
In a year of “no travel”, a local shopping mall set up a “fake airport gate” for those who want to pretend they can still travel
It’s a year of shutdown. Many shops in the city centre were closed and most of them may never get a chance to reopen.
Mask on! Even the teddy bear needs a mask.
In a year of “no travel”, reading a travel book can perhaps make you feel better (or worse)
It’s a year of shutdown. “To Let” (放租) is probably the most often seen signs across all Hong Kong districts
Hong Kong saw its record high unemployment rate in 2020
Other shops are shut down but IKEA is apparently in good business, thanks to the new normal — work from home.
2020 will be remembered as a year of “no gym”. Pure, the biggest chain gym in Hong Kong, was forced to shut down for many months.
Despite the government’s ban on large group gathering, migrant workers, mostly helpers from Southeast Asian countries, got together on weekends to pack their stuff ahead of the Christmas holiday as they usually send many things back home at the year-end. Hong Kong is one of the richest places (and most expensive for living) in the world but its income gap is also one of the largest. As the local often say, Hong Kong is a “rich man’s world.”
Mask on and no kiss! A popular local joke says any couple who can survive in 2020 together should just get married as they see each other in the era of true love.
Who are the true heroes in Hong Kong? Don’t forget those delivery people. They still drove around to ship even during the worst time of the year when Hong Kong was de facto locked down.
The Covid-19 pandemic is not just about the pandemic. It has a lot of side effect, including mental health issues, especially for the youth due to long time of isolation and studying pressure.
Restaurant business is hit very badly. Many restaurants went bankrupted while the struggling ones tried to survive by offering sometimes just half of the price (半價) on the menu.
Finally, some good news and Hong Kong people should be proud of this: In 2020, we still got ArtBasel exhibition held in person in Hong Kong, though on a smaller scale and restricted basis for small group and pre-registered visitors only.
Part 2: Shopping like never before
Bye-bye, Topshop! The British fashion retail giant closed its last store in Hong Kong in 2020.
The most iconic luxury store, The Landmark, became people-less.
In good and bad times, there are always buyers for bags.
Mask on and keep shopping to save Hong Kong economy!
Surprise! Donki has been expanding aggressively this year.
Hermes is a miracle — always a long queue in front of its shops.
When tourists are all gone, Hong Kong is quiet again. Good news or bad news?
Part 3: Eating like never before
Want to get a table? No need to call to book any more.
Mask on or f*** off.
Spotted in Hong Kong: Blue Bottle baristas with their mask on
As seen in Soho, Hong Kong’s most famous bar and restaurant area
The famous seafood village Lei Yue Mun (鯉魚門) in trouble too
A lonely Santa seen in a restaurant in Soho, closed during Christmas holiday time, usually the best season for restaurant business
No more dine-in after 6pm
Want to save money? Try those “anti-pandemic set lunch/dinner” in Hong Kong restaurants especially for the working class
View more on my Instagram @mrshangkong:
What’s your say about 2020? Feel free to drop me a message here.