On the evening of Sep. 18, at around 7 p.m., the police received a report from hikers that a 65-year-old man named Tin had collapsed near Pak Kung Au at stage two of Lantau Trail. He had injuries to his forehead and back and was later pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital. EastPro, a publisher, confirmed that the hiker was landscape photographer Edward Tin Chun Fook, known for his book “Hong Kong Love Letter” and several entries in the National Geographic global photography contest. His photography talents were widely recognized in Hong Kong and by the international photography community.
Mr. Tin had studied graphic design at evening school and started his career in advertising, working his way up from being a messenger to a designer. In the early 1990s, he co-founded an advertising company with friends. He transitioned into photography in 2013, initially capturing sunrises and sunsets during hikes and sharing his work on social media. His photos garnered numerous awards and recognitions from National Geographic magazine. He collaborated with EastPro starting in 2018 and officially published his “Hong Kong Love Letter” photography book in 2020. He also held a photography exhibition titled “Made in Hong Kong,” which received a warm response.
In the early hours of Sept. 19, the head of the publisher posted a tribute: “Today, we mourn the loss of this respected friend whose kindness and boundless joy have illuminated the hearts of countless people. Working with Sir Tin was an unforgettable experience. He exuded unparalleled friendliness and a spirit of collaboration. His professionalism and unwavering commitment to excellence were evident in all his work. His serious work attitude left a deep impression on me. Even when facing challenges, Sir Tin’s sense of humor, encouragement, and steadfast support uplifted our spirits and propelled us forward. Through him, I truly understood the tremendous effort required to capture a great photo, leaving no room for luck.”
Mr. Tin excelled in capturing misty scenes, cloud inversions, and local Hong Kong landscapes. Describing his book, he once said, “In the process of photography, I often think about how landscape photography can tell a more meaningful story. So, I started shooting Hong Kong from the mountains to provide an overview and then delved into street photography. I used photos to tell Hong Kong’s multifaceted story.” During an interview with The Epoch Times in 2020, he mentioned, “Looking through the whole photography collection, there are black and white photos, there’s fog. But towards the end, I used color and the New Year’s sunrise as the ending to convey a message of ‘hope.’ Hong Kong people should have hope. No matter how challenging the environment is, as long as you hold onto hope, you have the strength to keep going. There’s light at the end of the tunnel. Hong Kong people, keep going!.”
