Hong Kong from the peak on a summer's night

Ewok village?

If you want to see how I made this (and how you can too!), visit my HDR Tutorial. I hope it gives you some new tricks!

I had a long day waking up at 5 AM to take a series of subways and trains up to Shenzen for some meetings. I had a Chinese VISA, which you don't need to get into Hong Kong, but I had to use to cross the official Chinese border after getting off the train. I didn't realize that it was a one-time use VISA, and I had to go to Shanghai the next day. This caused a lot of problems with the Chinese officials, a body of government with which I do not enjoy causing problems.

Anyway, after I got back to Hong Kong after a day in Shenzen, I was hot and sweaty and in the sort of meeting clothes that aren't great for being hot and sweaty in. But, everything about Hong Kong was still awesome and I had too look hard for things to complain about. The sun was setting, and I made it up to The Peak just in time for a shot.

This was a 5-exposure HDR shot at 100 ISO, and, of course, a sturdy tripod to get all the lights as steady as possible.

from my daily photo blog at www.stuckincustoms.com

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Comments

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(377 comments)

fotomassimo says:

Fantastic!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

thescotty says:

Friggin incredible.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Photo-John says:

This one is sweet. It looks like the mountains and trees are moving in on the city like a landslide. Definitely a very different rendering of Hong Kong.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Made in Madeira says:

Photo artistry.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Seniorita Bonita ♥ [deleted] says:

Great ShOt

Fav
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

SublimeImage says:

Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

jon fobes says:

awesome image!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

gustavosantelli says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called The Coolest Damn Cool Photographers in the World!, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

WOOOOW, amazing work
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Jeremy-G says:

Spectacular!!!

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Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

zTransmissions says:

i love this view from the peak, and i think this might be my first time seeing it in hdr. great stuff!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

andr_w says:

hey i know im dumb
but could you send me a flickrmail thing and lemme know how YOU do HDR photog? not how its done, but how YOU do it...
thanks!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Giorgos~ offline says:

Superb! As if the city is embedded on a rough surface!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Stuck in Customs says:

Haha thanks all - I put a bit in my tutorial at stuckincustoms.com/?p=548
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

.hugo says:

oh... my... god.

if i could fave an entire flickr stream it would be yours. this shot is spectacular, simply amazing.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

. SantiMB . (inspiring) says:

Like the setting of a Sci-Fi film.

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Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

chuckwheat says:

This is a huge reward for enduring a tough day; So powerful, I can almost hear it!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Nikktond says:

The sky color is magnificent, another beauty
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Kirpernicus says:

Fantastic work!

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Eye Candy!, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

~Leesa says:

Wow...very cool shot :)
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Coy Aune says:

great shot of the city. nice treatment.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

HolgerE says:

Awesome photo. You really get around :-)
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Hot Flash Photography says:

Awesome is right. We can travel vicariously with you, such a treat. ;))
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

prairiedog (away visiting family) says:

this one is stunning, really good!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

horstgeorg says:

Great image !

Please add your
Beautiful photo to--

Beauty is in the *Eye* of the Beholder!

Seen on my contacts
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

ZekaG says:

Great shot. The best HDR of Hong Kong I have ever seen.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

jimgspokane says:

Wow! Super shot! Well processed.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

pj58 says:

superb!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

airpanther says:

Fantastic!!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

gr8ful dad says:

brilliant shot
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

George the Greek says:

Wow! That would make my day! Wonderful.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

altamons says:

Beauty! Very nice shot!
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Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Tea Leaf Bench says:

amazing
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

DitB says:

This picture will make explore. It has to!

Good on you to find that clear skies of HK, this capture is ... amongst my faves now :-)
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Riccardo Mastroianni says:

uoo incredible! great point of view!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

brian doucette says:

Very lovely composition.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

the Rested Traveler says:

Fantastic photo!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Entons says:

I like how the city is famed by the growth. But I can't stop feeling that this picture would be better more soft to avoid more noise.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

H2O Alchemist says:

Thats an amazing image!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

zannnielim says:

YOU deserved to be an

Pls add this photo to the
AWARD WINNER group
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

zannnielim says:

This is truly what i called BREATHTAKING!!!!!!! WOW

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Breathtaking, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

zannnielim says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Charming City!, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

.hannita. says:

Beautiful. I love the way there is light shining through the trees too.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

KamranM says:

Unreal! very impressive shot. Like the angle of camera
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Zoltán Buday [deleted] says:

Excellent work, great shot.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

tmspres says:

the city's waking up, amazing! right place, right moment!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

R.o.b.e.r.t.o. says:

You are the Best!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

darkroom says:

surreal !
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Keith_Beecham says:

Amazing, absolutely amazing!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

I Shutter says:

Beautiful photo! Wonderful capture...

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Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Kursiv says:

Great hdr!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Poe ♪ says:

Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

FOTOURBANA says:

Fantastic shot

add to Golden Winner group
[!] Please add this TAG:
GoldenWinners
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Kris Kros says:

That's what I called dedication. And the fruit of your labor is a stunning image of one of the best places in the world.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Sandmania says:

Fantastic shot and I like all the different colours..super view.

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Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

A.alFoudry says:

oh man you are killing us with your art
keep on you great works

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Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

farbgeil says:

Amazing shoot, with the forest surounding the metropol!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

susan_r4 says:

Super wowee! Ok I've said it before....but this really could be your best ever!!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

elpianoman says:

Great shot.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

dperry1952 says:

WOW!
This is a work of art!

You are my winner!
Please add this photo to
www.flickr.com/groups/mywinners/
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

cclayphoto says:

Beautiful!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

jacquie pics says:

Fantastic
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

koko.pelli says:

Rubbish ... floats in Hong Kong harbour doesn't it? Amazing photo as usual :)

How long were the exposures out of interest, and how many did you take? Would be interested to know, it's incredible, seeing the lights even in the distant buildings.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Whitesusie says:

Amazing cityscape, well done. FAVED.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

wenzday01 says:

I love the view from the Peak in Hong Kong!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

secretsamba says:

An amazing cityscape, well captured!

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Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Lord Malikai (needs more Flickr time to catch up) says:

This is amazing!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

paperscissorock says:

damn, that's dope.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

jazzpic says:

This is great stuff.....amazing shot

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Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

tri vo says:

makes me miss hong kong
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

CORSIWORLD says:

Whoa, that's cool... a Fave!
Seen in My Contacts
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Stuck in Customs says:

haha thanks all - wow you guys and gals really like this one. Thanks again! :)
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

ginamccaleb says:

wow. It looks like some kind of futuristic city in the bowl of a crater. Cool stuff!!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Maggie Neely says:

Totally amazing!!!!!!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

point5j says:

awesome detail; the contrast between the city and the forest is stunning

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Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

garryloke says:

Another GREAT skyline you been shot .....

This is simply "Gorgeous"....

Cheers TREY ~ ~
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

-liyen- says:

Brilliant!
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Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

FredrikN says:

Stunning HDR of a fascinating city! Beautiful lights and detail!

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Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Chronic Auditory Hallucination says:

Looks posotively futuristic.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Thelonious Gonzo says:

I am gargling the glass shards that I just rubbed in my eyes Trey! I will now roll around on them and then take an alcohol bath. Maybe then I will forget how much cooler you are than me. I doubt it, but I have to try.

P.S. - I have never even seen this angle on Hong Kong.
Thanks for not only being able to travel *AND* having this much talent *AND* being to command atmospheric anomalies into your view *AND* being in the Smithsonian . . . but also for rubbing it in my face daily. Thanks. Really. Thanks.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

MatthewPHX says:

Really amazing work!

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Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Tama Leaver says:

That's exceptional! :)
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

tephdra says:

Amazing image.

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Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

GAry.Photography says:

u are pushing me to take my gear out and photo more of Hong Kong city....

very nice touch....
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

scott715 says:

Really nice shot. I was there 20 years ago when at the top of Victoria Peak (or whatever it's called now) was just a flat concrete pad. Now I see there is a whole complex of structures there. Anyway, great picture. Wish I could travel as much as you.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

HintOfKizzle says:

Amazing!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

bsmith4815 says:

breathtaking as always!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Vaeltaja says:

Incredibe photo. Bravo.
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

crowjay says:

Wow wtg!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

neilalderney123 says:

great work Trey.. This one is a REAL winner!

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Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Ice Bing says:

It's amazing!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

thinkfromscratch says:

sensational, amazing work

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Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

lovely---this was the site of a recent architecture studio project we did...theyre revitalizing a lot of victoria bay between hk and kowloon....gorgeous capture
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Jörg Dickmann says:

Outstanding! Absoultely amazing stuff.
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Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Valpopando says:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have difficult to found the words for this !!!
Maybe one of your best panorama night !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Mariolumix says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Uà si Gruosss wish you all a very nice Summertime!!!, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.

MAMMA MIA!!! Che bella...sorry if I write in Italian but it's incredible!!!!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Blenford says:

Even for you this is something special...
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Lumase says:

...you are the man...
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Quizz... says:

wohhhh....marvel
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Gene Chow says:

艳丽
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

rpeg [deleted] says:

Amazing!!!!
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

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Some rights reserved Anyone can see this photo

Taken in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Island (map)
Taken with a Nikon D2Xs.
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Taken on July 30, 2007

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