Lauren has loved the ocean since she was a child, and dreams of contributing to the conservation of marine ecosystems. After graduating from secondary school, she went to The University of California, Los Angeles to study Marine Biology. While returning to Hong Kong during the summer holiday, she worked as a photography intern at our centre.
Lauren : I want to bring out the beauty of nature through photography. For example, by using macro shots, we can capture an adorable side of animals that we would normally think are plain-looking or even ugly. For example, this millipede. Tell others to look at things from a different perspective, and it will give you a completely different vibe. Some small animals are easy to miss, making some people think that Hong Kong doesn’t have a lot of wildlife or natural environments, so I hope my photos can help others learn about these species. This photo of a scale insect is my proudest work so far, it is as if the entire world has shrunk, making it feel a little bit like a movie scene from Studio Ghibli animations.
I study marine biology, so I didn’t know much about terrestrial animals in Hong Kong in the first place. But through this internship at Lung Fu Shan, I learnt how to identify different species. My goal is to photograph a Masked Palm Civet or Porcupine before my internship ends.
Due to the pandemic outbreak, the centre was closed most of the time during my internship, and there weren’t a lot of chances to participate in activities. But to look on the bright side, more people are hiking and appreciating nature during this period, which is actually a good thing. Hong Kong has a lot of mountains, besides famous tourist destinations, I wish that they would take note of lesser known mountains like Lung Fu Shan. They have a great view as well, and there’s no need to squeeze your way among the crowd. I especially recommend Lung Fu Streams. Previously when I was hiking up Lung Fu Shan, I had never noticed that there was such a long stream here. The environment is really soothing, and you can even watch the tadpoles in the stream feed.
P.S. Remember to take precautionary measures against COVID-19 and protect the environment even while hiking! Don’t litter or discard face masks except in rubbish bins, and remember to mind your safety!
