‘I waited half an hour for one of Hong Kong’s iconic red taxis to pass by’: William Shum’s best phone picture

The contrast between the dense, layered building and the clean lines of the cab make for a winning image

William Shum describes Yau Ma Tei, the Hong Kong district in which he took this photo, as “one of the region’s older and most characterful districts. I’m always drawn to this area because it feels authentic and full of local life. Older residential buildings, street-level shops and constant traffic show a very recognisable side of the city.”

Shum’s eye was drawn to the contrast between the passing vehicle in the foreground and the residential building in the background. “The building is full of repeating windows and air-conditioning units, which creates a dense and layered background, while in front the taxi appears in a very simple and clean shape,” he says. “Two things are instantly recognisable here: the city’s compact residential architecture and its iconic red taxis. This image brings those together.”