T'IEN-HSIA Illustrated - Hong Kong - May, 1954

Trisha Pedaller – A Salon Exhibitor

By Francis Wu

Lim Soo Hwa, an International Photographic Exhibitor, Operates a Trisha, or Pedicab

Lim Soo Hwa, 38-year-old trisia pedaller in Hong Kong has been winning prizes in photographic contests and even International salons have exhibited his work.  His parents were from Fukiwn province in China but Son Hwa was born in Penang. He was orphaned when very young, and thus had to struggle hard for a living. Lim started with a Japanese Pearl Camera using 127 films. Today he is proud owner of a Rolleicord complete with filters and other accessories.

Lim received his first encouragement when he won cash awards in a photographic contest sponsored by the Malayan Pictorial Observer, a government publication in Kuala Lumpur.

Francis Wu, Famed Photographer, Sitting in Lim's Trisha / Photo by Lim

Perused by Mr. Tan Seng Husi, Lim made a few prints for international salon display and these Mr. Tan submitted together with his own to a few salons. Since then, Lim had nine acceptances. But being on humble occupation, his income does not permit him to exhibit at many salons. He prefers to enter competitions, which provide cash awards to cover the expenses involved in his hobby.

Times Of Mayala & Straits Echo - January 13, 1954

Photogenic Penang Lures Photographer

Mr. Francis Wu, world famous Hong Kong Chinese photographer, stepping from the Malayan Airways plane which brought him from Singapore yesterday morning, said what drew him to Penang was the island’s “photogenic spots” and he looked forward to taking home with him pictures of “what you have and others do not”

Well-known photographer Mr. Francis Wu (center figure in grey) arrived in Penang yesterday

Mr. Wu said when he started his book (Classical Chinese Beauties, which is now completely sold out and a second edition is in preparation) he wanted to do something different from other photographers.

“I wanted to produce something oriental, to show how beautiful our Chinese Women are” he told a press conference yesterday morning. Mr. Wu is the guest of Mr. Chan during his stay in Penang, and on Thursday he will deliver s talk on photography at the Hui Aun Association.

Mr. Wu has high opinion of the standard of photography in this country, after acting as one of the judges for the Singapore Art Society Annual International Exhibition.

“The local standard (Federation and Singapore) is very high, and the general standard of picture submitted is high too, due to works submitted by photographers here and from Hong Kong” he said.

Photograms Of The Year - The Annual Review Of The World's Photographic Art - 1953

Fifty-Eighth Year Of Issue - Iliffe & Son

Despite the present unsettled situation the Chinese Photographer of Hong Kong is taking Pictorial Photography very seriously and Mr. Francis Wu, F.R.P.S., F.P.S.A., reports that there have been increased activities during the year.

The Hong Kong Photographic Society has sponsored many new and varied programs. There have been two exchange shows from America and two from India and
The Hong Kong Photographic Society’s Sixth International Salon was a huge success.
Hong Kong photographers have received more Honors in the last year than previously.

Mr. Francis Wu strongly advocates the traditional Chinese Fashion in dealing with pictorial or portraits, and suggests that the Chinese can meet with more success by expressing their own distinctive and oriental characteristics than by imitating Western Art. He has accepted an invitation to attend the Photographic Society of America Convention and will undertake a lecture tour there for 3 months,

In introducing Chinese Art and Photography to the people of the Western World he hopes to assist in some measure a closer relation between East and West, and we with him all success.

Drifting In The Moonlight by Francis Wu

Francis Wu have one print in this year’s annual, Plate 41, Drifting In The Moonlight.

Times Of Malaya & Straits Echo - January 9, 1954

Versatility Of Francis Wu Works For Local Exhibition

Photographers in Penang, both amateur and professional, are looking forward to the visit of Mr. Francis Wu, well known Hong Kong Chinese Photographer,who is expected here on Tuesday, Jan. 12

Whilst in Penang, Mr. Wu will give a talk to photographers from th Chinese point of view.

Mr. Wu will take the opportunity when he is here to visit the Kek Lok Si Monastery, the Penang Hill Railway, The Malay Kampongs and the various other beauty spots of Penang, to capture them with his cameras.

At present, he is holding an exhibition of 150 of his photographs in Singapore and it is expected that the exhibition will be given also in Penang at a later date.

Classical Chinese Beauty by Francis Wu

Mr. Wu was made an honorary member of Photography following his visit to America recently and is widely known in the world of photography for the exquisite pictures he has taken in his pursuit of the arts. A member of several world recognized photographic and art societies, Mr. Wu has published in 1951, a lovely album with many photographs entitled “Classical Chinese Beauties”

Reproduced on this page are two lovely photographs of his, showing his versatilities in both model and outdoor work.

Luk Yau Hall by Francis Wu

Handsworth International Exhibition of Camera Art - 1956

Twenty-Fifth Annual International Exhibition - Brimingham

The President’s Letter
Our Annual International Exhibition is always a notable event in the photographic world because of the high standard of the works hung. The 25th Exhibition now on the walls is certainly no exception.

We realize we are very fortunate in receiving such fine examples of pictorial photography from the most eminent workers. For this reason we are able to retain the high quality which we have set ourselves to show, our selectors having accepted only those pictures which they consider have artistic feeling and execution. – F.W. REA, President

Two Princesses by Francis Wu

Francis Wu, FRPS  have two prints in this exhibition:

• To Princesses

• Fishing At Sunrise

Francis Wu - Judge & Vice President of Ricci Hall Photographic Club

Chinese Photography Magazine - March 1950

“Not only is this the first of its kind held in Ricci Hall; but it is also the first and the boldest attempt ever taken by any Hostel of the university.” declared Mr. Edmund Tam, Chairman of the Club to an audience of over a hundred at the exhibition of competition entries and photographs by officials and members of the Ricci Hall Amateur Photographic Club on 14th February, 1950

The Club, which is affiliated to the Ricci Hall Students’ Association of the Hong Kong University, was formed only a year ago. Its aim is, as laid down in the Constitution to “foster interest in photographic art among the members of the Club, and to improve means whereby this interest may be maintained”

Francis Wu was an Honorary Judge for this exhibition. He is also one of the Vice-Presidents of the Club.

Francis Wu - His Photography Magazine - Chinese Photographer - Vol. 1, No.8 - 1950

Cover Photo of Miss Leung By Francis Wu

Camera : Craflex 4 by 5 with 7 ½ “ Ektar Lens

f/8, 1/100, 4 Flood Photo Lamps

Francis Wu, F.R.P.S., F.P.S.A., Hon. P.S.S.A. is the Editor-In-Chief of the magazine.

In the Editorial Comment, Francis Wu wrote:

The shortage of photographic material in the Far East recently surely hampers the enthusiastic amateur photographers. Everyone is trying to purchase an extra supply to meet his needs. The shortage hits the professionals squarely on the head, for many are unprepared. A large number of photographers divide their sheet films and take two to four pictures on a sheet of film while others change their size of film from 4 by 5 to 3 ¼ by 2 ¼ roll film. The miniature camera is also in great demand now, for the simple reason that 35mm film can easily be purchased. Many salon workers are shifting their size from 16 by 20 to 11 by 14, and more test strips are used. We hope the importers of photographic goods will soon ease this shortage tension.

The Indian Show in Hong Kong turned out is a great success. Dr. G. Thomas in India had gathered the prints, which were displayed, from well-known Indian Photographers. A selection of the most outstanding work in the exhibition was a difficult task as all the work was good. For one week showing, more than eight thousand visitors crowded the Society Exhibition hall. It may be claimed as one of the best shows ever seen in Hong Kong.

In this issue of Chinese Photography, there is also an article of “You Must Know How To Stop Motion in Your Photographs” by Gwynne Wu and “How To Photograph Junks” by David Choy