Ma Tso Lung

Unleash your photography passion in Ma Tso Lung, a serene retreat in Hong Kong's northern New Territories. Awaiting your lens are verdant landscapes, rustic architecture, and diverse wildlife. The jewel in the crown? An enchanting sunset, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson, perfect for the most captivating photographs. Don’t miss this chance to add incredible, diverse, and timeless shots to your portfolio. Ma Tso Lung is truly a must-visit destination for all sunset photography enthusiasts.

Photography Guide

Equipment

• Standard – Telephoto Length Lens (EG: 24-70, 24-105, 70-200, 100-400 etc)

Time

• before sunset

Consideration

• Focal length of the lens: Standard to Telephoto
• Carry a tripod
• Show courtesy
• Can rely on Aperture Priority (Av / A mode) most of the time
• Transition to Manual mode (M) after it gets dark"
• Not recommended to fly drones on site as it is a restricted area

Route

Reach the minibus station via the bridge at Exit A4 of Sheung Shui MTR Station

There are many minibusses in the North District, you need to look for the sign carefully and find 51B. Be aware that sometimes the minibus stop locations can be chaotic.

When boarding the bus, you need to tell the driver that you want to go to Ma Tso Lung (馬草壟) to watch the sunset, or that there is a stop at Ma Tso Lung Police Post (馬草壟警崗), the driver will stop at the intersection. The return trip is at the same location.

After getting off the bus, just walk uphill.

Follow the stairs to the end and turn right, you will find an open flat area.

Shooting References

Landscape photography is a set of plans, there's no absolute. Personally, I don't like the situation of being flustered when I arrive at the scene. Hence, I arranged everything the day before (of course, it's a different case if you have 2 cameras). Here I will share my allocation for every sunset shoot.

Panoramic shot

Shoot a set of panoramic shots. This depends on personal preference. After all, watching panoramic photos on mainstream smartphones will not have a very strong effect. But I have a printing need, holding a panoramic photo in hand or making it into a picture frame is incredibly stunning. Some cameras or phones have a panorama function, but my method is to take multiple vertical shots and combine them together.

Close-Up Shots

Use a telephoto lens, waiting for the light to change. As the sunset casts its light sideways onto buildings, they will reflect a golden glow. At this time, you can first take close-ups and photos of the skyline.

If you feel that it's not close enough, full-frame cameras generally provide a 1.6x APSC mode, though the resolution will be significantly reduced.

The pond at the border is also one of the highlights. If the restricted area is to be developed, there will be no more chance to take photos.

Observe the sunlight. When the strong sunlight starts to become soft, you can change the angle to take close-ups of the sun.

When the sun is near the horizon, find an interesting foreground to enhance your composition. It is perfectly acceptable to capture it in close-ups if the light ratio is too strong, conveying a sense that the day is coming to its end.

Finally, as the sun begins to dip below the horizon, the 'Magic Hour' comes. This is truly the starting point for us photographers. With the sky darkening and the casual sunset viewers having already departed, we are set apart from the general public in our pursuit. Now is the time to switch from the telephoto lens to a standard focal length, allowing us to capture the grandeur of the broader scene.

In the final moments, as the sky gradually darkens with some residual light on the horizon and the initial twinkle of city lights, this truly sums up the highlight of the entire journey.

Conclusion

A smooth shooting plan can make your process flow smoothly. It is better than running left and right when you arrive at the scene. Take two shots with this lens and two shots with that lens.  It's better to enjoy the scenery in front of you quietly, take a second look before the scenery disappears, and enjoy the tranquility that does not exist in Hong Kong.
(usually suggested to go back to work to catch up with life, isn't it enough to catch up) A well-orchestrated shooting plan can make your process unfold as seamlessly as clouds flowing in the sky. This is far superior to being chaotic for moving around the scene, swapping lenses, and hurriedly capturing shots. It is more beneficial to save this time, silently appreciate the vista in front of you, absorb the details before the landscape fades away, and relish the tranquility that is uncommon in the bustling metropolis of Hong Kong.