影像的力量

楊德銘一直記得他就讀本科時，在新聞攝影課堂上看到的那張照片：一個母親抱著女兒沐浴，而女兒身體卻因病變得畸形。相片由美國攝影師William Eugene Smith所拍，他以鏡頭記錄日本水俁市因人為傾倒汞汙水，導致居民患病的畫面，也令楊德銘意識到，原來「用照片說故事是可以這樣震撼。」

種子就此埋下，他與幾名同學滿腔熱血，投身攝影不亦樂乎，修讀學院的新聞攝影科目，以鏡頭記錄社會事件，還集合幾屆同學的作品，由學院出資出版新聞攝影集《張力》，雖然「很久都賣不完。」說罷他忍不住笑，然後補充：「謝謝新傳給我發展攝影的空間。」

畢業後楊德銘成為新聞攝影記者，如今在大學任教相關科目，由昔日受老師啟發，到現在指導學生。黃嘉禧今年就讀本科四年級，是楊德銘的學生。她形容楊德銘是「超級好人的大前輩」，從不吝嗇在專業上傳授知識、提供建議和鼓勵，「當我在報館工作時，就發現他所教的新聞攝影技巧和角度，原來可以這樣應用。」

黃嘉禧透過學院申請新聞攝影記者的實習職位，並於實習完結後成為兼職。她畢業後想留在行業發展，因為這個崗位令她見識更多，「每日採訪、拍攝到不同的人和事」，也為她帶來很多深刻經歷，例如除夕倒數活動，「這是每年一次的大型活動，很少人有機會可以在記者區近距離拍攝，我也很滿意那輯相，覺得都幾開心。」

但新聞攝影於她還有其他意義：「這是很有趣的媒介，以相片記錄社會甚至歷史上發生過的不同事情，而且相片是透過定格某個時刻，告訴讀者一宗新聞事件關於什麼，我覺得這種『定格』很有意思。」

楊德銘從事新聞及紀實攝影至今廿多年，出版過攝影集、辦過作品展，他說，攝影滿足了他表達的欲望，「我看起來很守規矩，其實骨子裡有些反叛，不過從小爸爸管教嚴，所以比較壓抑，但透過作品，我可以抒發自己，也可以表達我對社會的看法。」

簡介：
楊德銘，2000年香港中文大學新聞與傳播學院本科畢業，作品多次在本地及海外展出，2017年出版首部攝影集《Yes Madam, Sorry Ah Sir》，現為自由攝影師、大學講師及策展人。

黃嘉禧，香港中文大學新聞與傳播學院四年級生，於香港攝影記者協會舉辦的新聞攝影比賽《前線‧焦點 2024》學生組別中，獲單張特寫季軍及圖片故事優異獎。

The Power of Images

Paul Yeung Tak-ming will never forget a photograph from his undergraduate photojournalism class: a mother bathing her daughter, whose body had been ravaged by illness. The image was captured by American photographer W. Eugene Smith, who documented the suffering in Minamata, Japan, caused by mercury-laden wastewater deliberately discharged into the environment. For Yeung, it was a revelation—photography could be such a powerful storytelling medium.

That moment planted a seed. Brimming with passion, Yeung and several classmates threw themselves into photography, taking the School’s photojournalism courses and using their cameras to document social events. They even compiled works from multiple classes and, with School funding, published a photojournalism collection titled Tension. Yeung laughs as he recalls that it “took forever to sell out,” then adds, “I’m grateful to the School of Journalism and Communication for giving me the space to develop as a photographer.”

After graduation, Yeung became a photojournalist and now teaches at university—transforming from a student inspired by his teachers into an educator inspiring others. Wong Ka-hei, currently a fourth-year undergraduate, is among Yeung’s students. She describes him as “a truly kind and generous mentor” who never hesitates to share professional knowledge, offer advice, or provide encouragement. “When I worked at a newspaper, I discovered that the photojournalism techniques and perspectives he taught us applied directly in the field.”

Through the School, Wong secured an internship as a photojournalist and became part-time staff after completing the program. She hopes to stay in the industry after graduation because the role has broadened her worldview. “Every day I interview and photograph different people and events.” The work has also created lasting memories, like covering the New Year’s Eve countdown. “It’s a major annual event, and few people get to shoot up close from the press area. I was extremely satisfied with that photo series—it made me genuinely happy.”

But photojournalism holds deeper meaning for her. “It’s a fascinating medium—using images to document various events in society and history. Because photographs capture specific moments in time to show readers what a news event is about, I find this act of ‘capturing’ especially meaningful.”

Yeung has worked in news and documentary photography for over two decades, publishing photo books and mounting exhibitions. He says photography fulfills his need for expression. “I may appear well-behaved, but I’m somewhat rebellious at heart. My father was strict when I was young, so I felt constrained. Through my work, I can truly express myself and voice my opinions about society.”

Profiles:
Paul Yeung Tak-ming graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the School of Journalism and Communication at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 2000. His works have been exhibited locally and internationally. In 2017, he published his first photobook, Yes Madam, Sorry Ah Sir. He currently works as a freelance photographer, university lecturer, and curator.

Wong Ka-hei is a fourth-year student at the School of Journalism and Communication at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. At the Hong Kong Press Photographers Association’s Focus at the Frontline 2024 competition, she won third place in the Single Feature Photo category and received a Merit Award in Photo Essay—both in the student categories.