Hong Kong Photography Workshop with Tom Bugatti - January 16th and 17th 2027

Welcome to Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a vertical labyrinth of raw cinematic energy, making it an absolute dream for street photography. It’s a city of thrilling visual contrasts—where the intense, neon-lit density of Mong Kok gives way to quiet, hidden alleyways, and grand colonial architecture sits in the shadow of towering glass skyscrapers. From double-decker trams slicing through seas of commuters to abstract reflections, moody shadows, and steam rising from street food stalls, Hong Kong is an endless playground of geometry, scale, and human emotion.

Join internationally recognised street photographers Paolo Maschio and Tom Bugatti (website | Instagram) for an immersive workshop designed to sharpen your eye, refine your technique, and help you carve out your own unique visual voice. Over two full days, we’ll explore two distinct philosophical styles: Paolo’s humanistic approach—focusing on raw emotion, proximity, and individuals navigating the city—and Tom’s formalistic approach, where human subjects become elements of geometry, light, reflection, and abstraction within a larger frame.

Workshop at a Glance

• Dates: 16-17 of January 2027

• Location: Hong Kong, Hong Kong

• Duration: 2 days

• Price: €600 per person

• Skill Level: All levels welcome

• Group Size: Maximum 10 participants

What to Expect

Two focused days, two distinct visual philosophies, and a city that never stops moving. You’ll be gently pushed—to shoot more instinctively, to take the frame you almost talked yourself out of, and to trust your eye whether you're capturing close-range human emotion or abstracting subjects into geometric architecture.

Expect a genuine mix of theory, image critique, and extensive field shooting in one of the most cinematic cities in the world. As participants sign up, we will reach out directly to understand your specific goals and visual interests. Depending on the group's preferences, we will tailor our on-the-street approach—either splitting into smaller targeted groups or alternating leads—to ensure maximum personal attention.

With two instructors sharing the lead, you'll benefit from a rich dual approach. Ultimately, our goal isn't to make you shoot like us, but to help you develop your own distinct way of seeing. There’s no competition here—just a community of photographers learning from two complementary perspectives and from each other.

What You’ll Learn

Whether you've never done street photography before or you're looking to break through a creative plateau, this workshop is designed to give you concrete tools you can keep using long after you leave Hong Kong.

Over the two days we'll cover:

• Humanistic vs. Formalistic Approaches — choosing whether to tell a story through personal emotion or through abstract shape, reflection, and structure;

• Reading a scene — how to anticipate moments before they happen;

• Composition and framing — layers, geometry, and urban scale;

• Overcoming hesitation — practical techniques for shooting confidently up close;

• Working with available light — navigating moody shadows, neon, and high-contrast reflections;

• Editing and curation — how to select your strongest images and understand why they work.

Requirements

No prior experience with street photography is required but you’ll definitely need:

• A camera you're comfortable using — DSLR, mirrorless, compact or film, all welcome;

• Lenses: Wide lenses for close-quarters shooting are great, but if you are interested in capturing architectural reflections, geometric details, or abstract compositions, please make sure to bring a telephoto lens (100mm or longer);

• Comfortable shoes (expect to walk several Km each day);

• A laptop for reviewing and post-producing images;

• Curiosity, patience, and respect for the people and places we photograph.

Pricing & Booking

The price of the workshop is €600 per person,* and it includes the following:

• Pre-workshop outreach to understand your personal goals and tailor the experience;

• Portfolio reviews by both Paolo and Tom;

• Two days of guided shooting in Hong Kong’s most photographically rich neighbourhoods;

• Theory sessions exploring humanistic, formalistic, and abstract street photography;

• Daily photo critiques — reviewing your images together and understanding what's working and why;

• Personal feedback tailored to your individual level and style.

Transportation, meals, drinks, travel insurance, and any other incurred costs are not included and are to be paid individually.

* All workshop participants receive a 10% discount on any future workshops they attend with me (co-sponsored workshops with other instructors excluded).

Cancellation

There are no refunds in case you need to cancel.

If we need to cancel, you will be refunded in full. We are not responsible for any reimbursement of travel expenses or other costs incurred by participants in the event that we need to cancel. Travel insurance covering cancellations, missed flights, and similar is strongly recommended. There are no partial refunds in the event a participant misses days or takes time off during the workshop for any reason.

FAQ

Do I need to be an experienced photographer?

Not at all. This workshop is open to all skill levels. The only requirement is that you're comfortable handling your own camera. Whether you're just starting out or you've been shooting for years and want fresh eyes on your work, there's something here for you.

What camera should I bring?

Whatever you already own and feel comfortable with. Street photography is about seeing, not gear. A compact camera or even a film camera is absolutely fine but you should know how to operate it.

Will we stay in the same hotel?

Accommodation is not included in the price. If you want I can share recommended areas to make it easy to stay close to the group.

Is travel insurance required?

I strongly recommend taking out travel insurance that covers trip cancellations, medical expenses and lost equipment. This is your responsibility to arrange independently.

I have a question not answered here — can I get in touch?

Absolutely. Reach me through the contacts section of this website and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.