The China Mail – Hong Kong – Friday, October 3, 1947

Francis Wu Gets High Honor
London

A high distinction has been won by a Chinese photographer, whose work has been selected by the Royal Photographic Society to be displayed at their 92nd Annual International Exhibition now being held in London.

To be thus chosen comprises one of he greatest honors in the world of photography, for the Royal Photographic Society is the oldest organization of its kind.

The photographer is Mr. Francis Wu of Hong Kong. His successful work appears in the pictorial section of the Exhibition, in which 188 photographs are displayed, these having been selected from 2,400 prints submitted by 642 entrants.

Old Butt Delicious By Francis Wu

“Old Butt Delicious” is the title of Mr. Wu’s contribution. An old man with a wrinkled face cranes forward his neck as he applies a lighted match to the stub end of a cigarette he’d between his lips. Detail of the subject’s face are thrown into relief by the lighter from the flame of the match, the curling tobacco smoke and fleeting expression captured by the camera being some of the o\points which make this a truly outstanding photograph.

PSA Journal – Volume 17, Number 12 – December 1951

The 1951 Photographic Society Of America
International Exhibition

Francis Wu’s photo “Two Princesses” was exhibited in this exhibition, which was held in Detroit, Michigan from October 9 – November 4, 1951. This print was also featured in the “pictorial division” of the December issue of PSA Journal in an article about the photographs in their international exhibition.

South China Morning Post – Thursday, August 18, 1949

PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION
 
Washington And Hong Kong Artists
Open To Public

The Photographic Society of Hong Kong has shown initiative by organizing a dual display of the work of American and American photographers.

The exhibition is being held in the Society’s clubroom in Prince’s Building and yesterday’s opening would have been a great success had it not been for the attempt to crowd a large number of visitors into a very limited area.

The opening of the exhibition as quite informal. The arrival of H.E. Sir Alexander Grantham together with a number of distinguished guests, and members of the Photographic Council of the Hong Kong Photographic Society, preceded the entry of the general public.

Sir Alexander and Lady Grantham spent over half an hour inspecting the pictures, asking many questions as officials around the club escorted them.

Exchange of Work

This is the first exhibition of its kind that has been held in Hong Kong and it is likely to lead to afar greater expansion of he original idea, which was to exchange with other countries both examples of local photographic art and ideas in general in connection with photography.

The Washington Council of Camera Clubs has sent to Hong Kong about fifty examples of their work, and Hong Kong in return sent them a like number of pictures made locally.

Judging by the present exhibition, the Colony can stand up well to the American standard.

The local organizers say that they are not looking at the competitive point of view so much as towards the value of eh national exchange of outlook on the art as a whole. Washington has sent pictures descriptive of scenery in that neighborhood; Hong Kong in return has sent prints illustrative of the life in this Colony. An interchange of views fro a technical standpoint has also been arranged. It has hoped that a similar arrangement will shortly be effected with Great Britain, India and other countries.

Visitors to the exhibition, which will remain open to the public each day will notice that the majority of Washington pictures represent snow scenes, which offer a wide scope to the camera enthusiast but which, unfortunately, are denied us here in Hong Kong.

An Old Master By Francis Wu

                                       
 Outstanding Pictures

Among the Hong Kong exhibits (89), “An Old Master” by Francis Wu, attracted much attention. Most of the works exhibited by the “6:20 Club” (so called from the ferry they catch on their weekly expeditions to the New Territories” were done in the early misty hours of the morning. The members have put up a creditable show, and should be encouraged to continue the good work of putting Hong Kong “on the mp” in photographic circles.