Life through a lens: veteran photojournalist’s 28-year career told in 40,000 rolls of film
● Former South China Morning Post chief photographer talks dark rooms, developing and dodging rioters to get the perfect picture
Chan Kiu is no flash in the pan. Thirty-one years after his retirement from the South China Morning Post, the respected lensman, who celebrated his 91st birthday last month, is still widely regarded as the quintessential Hong Kong photojournalist, as well an icon of the newspaper.
Having shot close to 40,000 rolls of film in his 28 years at the Post, Chan captured, in his vivid images, some of the most decisive moments – riots, bombings, typhoons, floods, landslides, celebrations, royal and papal visits, and air and sea disasters – that would later come to define history.
In the best traditions of the Post, Chan has never been one to compromise when it comes to getting the best pictures. It is no overstatement to say Chan set the benchmark in news photography that had an impact.
But, with his usual matter-of-fact attitude, Chan declined to admit that it was anything extraordinary. “I was just an ordinary news photographer. It just so happened that I was sent by the editor to cover the news events,” says the silver-haired, svelte veteran photographer, who has lived with his family in Vancouver since 1993.
“You wouldn’t have time to think about recording history at the time when you pressed the shutter button. They were just history caught in a hurry.”
Chan is known to one and all in the Hong Kong media circles as “Uncle Kiu”. The endearment refers to the way he selflessly imparted his knowledge to younger photographers, and to his longevity in the industry. In 1985, he became the first local press photographer to be awarded the Badge of Honour by Queen Elizabeth for his service and contribution to the Hong Kong media industry.
