In the final days before my departure from Hong Kong, I immersed myself in the captivating realm of an analog film photography exhibition. Tasked with capturing the essence of the theme “BODY,” a subject intimately familiar to me, I embraced the challenge of adhering to the time-honored process of analog photography—from the initial shot to the final print. Every step was a nostalgic journey into the past, requiring a departure from the convenience of digital technology. Although my Nikon F100 had become a seldom-used relic, it remained a reliable companion for this artistic venture.

During this period, fate led me to Raphael, a serendipitous encounter facilitated by my friend Kazu and an unexpected dinner gathering in a professor’s home. Raphael, an engineer by profession and training, revealed a profound passion for dance and the nuanced movements of the human body. His intriguing blend of technical acumen and artistic sensibility made him the ideal subject for my film photography experiment. I sought an adventurous soul, one willing to explore the realms of freedom and self-expression through the unpredictable journey of chance and trial and error.

Our collaboration unfolded through multiple photography sessions, each contributing to our creative exploration. However, it was a particular shoot that transcended the ordinary, becoming a poignant manifestation of meaning and expression. In capturing Raphael’s movements on film, we delved into a realm where each click of the shutter was a deliberate choice, and each frame bore the imprint of our shared pursuit of artistic discovery.