iStockalypse - Hong Kong

[Ron]

iStockalypse - Hong Kong
You may have already heard, but it bears repeating, We're headed to Hong Kong and everyone is invited to talk �LUXURY� and all that goes along with that theme. We'll look at what it means to give an image the luxury feel and to create quality and high production value without high costs and fancy props.

So they finally realise that they dont pay enough to justify high production cost images. 

I wonder how professionals will deal with this news. Now low cost images will look the same as their high cost images. 

[tickstock]

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[Ron]

I already know you have no humor, so I am not expecting you to recognise tongue in cheek, even indicated with smileys. 

[Sean Locke Photography]

It's said that way, because they don't foot the bill or setup shoots anymore.  It's up to the contributor to schedule what they want.  Which, I imagine is hard to do in a city you don't know anything about.

[tickstock]

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[PaulieWalnuts]

I just cant see how to financially justify a trip like this. For me it's thousands of dollars in travel and other costs. And what's the return? Does anyone ever break even on these?

[Ron]

Is it not meant to give people in Asia a chance to go to that event? I am thinking when its held in the USA or Canada many contributors from Asia cant make it for the same reasons.

[ShadySue]

I just cant see how to financially justify a trip like this. For me it's thousands of dollars in travel and other costs. And what's the return? Does anyone ever break even on these?

In the Good Old Days, probably yes, if they knew what they were doing to start with.
Also in the Old Days, there was a learning aspect, whereby if you weren't used to shooting with lights, or shooting/directing models, and would be able to do it once 'back home', you got some confidence/experience, maybe.
And some people love meeting up for the craic.
(Presumably it's a tax expense.)

[fritz]

Oh no Hong Kong! I used to live there so they couldn't choose worse place for iStockalypse. If you want feel real Asia there are many more better places in Asia to spend week or two like Taipei, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Phnom Penh....

[hoi ha]

I live here in Hong Kong and am a Hong Konger and even I agree its a stupid place for this event - this is one of the most expensive cities in the world - hotel rooms are between US$300 and $500 for even a simple mediocre business hotel. The cost of renting a place for shoots would be more expensive than they can imagine. Pollution means we see blue skies less than half the time and live with permanent grey haze so outdoor photography is challenging. If you think I exaggerate do a search on "Hong Kong" and you will see the lack of diversity in photographs on offer.   

Singapore or Bangkok are a much better choice - in fact Bangkok would be a terrific choice - interesting culturally and affordable.   

[bunhill]

Rents in Singapore are also relatively (very) expensive. And you need to book months in advance to get a good bargain there on Airbnb. Good job they didn 't choose KL. I was there last week - the haze is terrible because forest fires outside the city. It's actually quite hard to breath some days - also exhausting. Bangkok is very hot and airless atm too.

At least HK is coastal and therefore has a breeze. I wonder if there is a GI office in HK. There is one in Singapore.