Stuck in Customs: Hong Kong
Posted by Matt Cloud
Trey Ratcliff is a traveling photog who specializes in HDR work. For the uninitiated, he brackets 3 to 9 images and merges them together to show the full range of light in the scene. Bad HDR can look too much like a pastel on canvas work, but Ratcliff's work just looks hyper-realistic; what you wish you were seeing instead of the UV glare filled and desaturated image your eyes reveal to you.
Here are some of my favorites of his from Hong Kong:
Hong Kong from Victoria's Peak - The highest point on the island gives a great view of the harbour and Central. Also, it has the only Burger King, which the locals were VERY excited about.
IFC Roof -This image is of the Red Bar on IFC roof. you know, the building Batman jumps off of in The Dark Knight? just below is the veranda that Morgan Freeman is seen discussing business and showing his cell phone. We spent quite a few nights up here. A great view of the harbour and the fact that you can bring up anything you want from the City Super! in the mall below = cheap yet classy. Also, this is where Denesha was dumb enough to throw her phone away. That's what you get for eating tuna salad. 
POK FU LAM - This last one is of Pok Fu Lam Rd. I lived in a building to the right of the frame. Side note: the vast majority of buildings on the island are no more than 30 years old. Why do they look so old and run down? Neglect, bad maintenance, and odd stylistic choices. My dorm was built MAYBE 10 years ago but looked like a burnt out relic from the Cold War. The 1970's Cold War. Yeesh. No spiders, though, so I won't complain. They also let us on the roof, even during a level 10 typhoon. SAFETY FIRST!
All images Copywrite of Trey Ratcliff -www.StuckInCustoms.com
