IMAGES OF HK: A SYMPHONY OF LIGHTS circa CHRISTMAS 2011

A Symphony of Lights Show at the Hong Kong harbor is one show that shouldn't be missed when one visits Hong Kong. 

From Wikipedia: A Symphony of Lights (Traditional Chinese: 幻彩詠香江) is a synchronised building exterior decorative light and laser multimedia display, featuring 44 buildings on both sides of the Victoria Harbour of Hong Kong accompanied by music. The technology was developed by Australian firm Laservision and cost approximately 44 million HK dollars. It has attracted over 4 million visitors and locals so far, and is held every night for ten minutes.

Guinness World Records has named A Symphony of Lights the world's largest permanent light and sound show.^[1

My pictures do not do justice to the show itself because the lights interact with one another, and the moving lights from one building to another is really difficult to document in still pictures.


By the way, I used my Nikon Coolpix P300 compact camera with a fast lens (f/1.8) for these images.

You can say, one has to be there it appreciate it most.

Why? ....because everyone wants to have a shot of the famed laser show, and though, we can see the symphony on one side, I might not be able to take a shot at that side because there are lots of other onlookers and photographers around me.

Here is the background of A Symphony of Lights.

Background

The show is organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board and displayed every night with good weather at 8pm Hong Kong Time. An orchestration of music, decoration lights, laser light displays, and pyrotechnic fireworks, the multimedia light and sound show lasts for about 14 minutes.

The best vantage points include the "Avenue of Stars" on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, on the waterfront promenade outside the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chaiand on sightseeing ferries (i.e. Star Ferry) running across the Victoria Harbour. The Show's music and narration live at the "Avenue of Stars" and the promenade outside the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai every night. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays the narration is in English, while it is in Mandarin on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and Cantonese on Sundays.

Special pyrotechnic fireworks will be added to the show on the rooftop of participating buildings on both sides of the habour or stages off at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. It will be added on special events or holidays, example like Chinese New Year and Christmas.

When Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No.3 or above or Red/Black Rainstorm Warning Signal is issued by the Hong Kong Observatory at or after 3pm on the Show day, the Show will be suspended. No show will be staged even if the Signal is removed before 8pm on that day. The show may also be suspended in emergencies without prior notice.

Tonight, I stayed by the Harbor near the Clock Tower, Kowloon side.

The show has been further expanded with the total number of participating buildings increased to 44 on both sides of Victoria Harbour.^[2] There are different types of lighting effects included in the show, such as laser, searchlights, LED lights, simple lighting and projection lighting. 

Season's Greetings and Happy Holidays say the lights at the Hong Kong side!

from Wikipedia:

Themes

The Show comprises five major themes, taking spectators on a unique journey celebrating the energy, spirit and diversity of Hong Kong:

The first scene "Awakening" begins with flashes of laser lights that give life to a nucleus of light-energy which gradually illuminates participating buildings using an array of dancing lights and rainbow colour. This scene symbolises the genesis and powerful growth of Hong Kong.

The second scene "Energy" is represented by the display of rising colour patterns and the sweeping of the lasers and searchlights energetically across the night sky, signifying the vibrant energy of Hong Kong.

In the third scene "Heritage", traditional lucky red and gold colours are displayed across buildings on both sides of the Harbour, complemented by the introduction of music using Chinese musical instruments, symbolising Hong Kong's colourful heritage and rich cultural traditions.

The fourth scene "Partnership" features a display of laser beams and sweeping searchlights scanning across the Harbour, representing an illuminated connection with the opposite side. Beams reach out to symbolically connect the two sides of the Harbour into one greater and unified partnership.

The finale "Celebration" brings out a powerful rhythmic display of swirling, kaleidoscopic patterns of lights and beams dancing lively across the Harbour. The exciting final scene signifies the celebration of the close partnership between the two sides of the Harbour and represents an even brighter future for Asia's world city - Hong Kong.

The building lights also change with other seasons and special holidays.


From a Symphony of Lights, Happy Holidays, again!!!