How Photographer Har Kwan Luk Creates Her Cityscapes

"I love my city. I love capturing images of it and documenting it for people to enjoy," says Har Kwan Luk, a freelance photographer based in San Francisco, California. "That's why I became a photographer—to share my passion for nature, people, culture, and most importantly – photographs".

She is known for her colorful, detailed, and surreal cityscapes. The following article covers everything from her beginnings as a photographer to her current career in which she creates beautiful photos that inspire people to feel good about where they live.

What motivated Har Kwan Luk to become a photographer?

Growing up near the beach in San Francisco, California, Har Kwan Luk was always photographing her picturesque surroundings.

Har’s mother always encouraged her creativity, and photography was a hobby he was doing when she was younger. From the very beginning, she was drawn to the world of color and light.

What started as a hobby turned into a passion, and later became her profession. She has been doing it ever since.

“I still think about how a toddler can create photos, and how an adult can approach photography with a different eye,” says Har Kwan Luk.

Har Kwan Luk’s first photography series

Har Kwan Luk started photographing still lifes and landscapes during her third year at the university, and her first assignment was a series called "Everything is yours." In the series, Har photographed everyday objects, such as broken toys and crayons, and then she juxtaposed them against photos of nature. Her images focused on the idea that things are not always what they seem, and that everything is connected in some way.

Har Kwan Luk’s colorful, surreal, and beautiful photos from San Francisco

“I grew up in San Francisco, and I always remember the atmosphere of that city in the summer. It was hot and humid, and so were the streets. People would wear shorts and sandals because it was so hot outside. Everyone was friendly but full of energy,” shared the skilled photographer Har Kwan Luk.

“That energy carried over into the studio, where I would spend hours editing the street photos I had captured. My photos from San Fran are all about color and texture, and I love shooting in natural light. It's how I like to shoot most of my photos — without any fancy post-processing tricks,” Har added.

Har Kwan Luk at work: creating post-production work from photographs

Har’s work is primarily based on photographs, but he also likes to incorporate other mediums and tools in her post-production work. For example, she uses various programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, After Effects, and Premiere to create the visual effects in her photos. Har’s visual effects are not just limited to looks — they are also connected with her style, which ranges from whimsical to dark.

The beauty of Har Kwan Luk's photographs: Why do we feel physical satisfaction when looking at them?

Har Kwan Luk’s work is so much more than just creating beautiful photos. It is about inspiring people to feel good about where they live and the environment in which they live. For example, her most popular work depicts skyscrapers, canals, seacoast, and waterfalls. When people look at Har’s photos, they are usually transported to another place and time.

“When people feel calm, happy, and peaceful — when they are inspired, with a sense of well-being — they are my target audience,” says Har Kwan Luk.

Final words

“As a photographer, you never know where your creativity will take you. It is up to you to dream big and follow your dreams by making a plan to achieve your goals. Don't be afraid to take chances and do things a little bit differently. If you do, you might just be surprised how far you can go,” says Har Kwan Luk.