A Historic First for Hong Kong and Asia
The University of Hong Kong is delighted to celebrate the remarkable achievements of alumnus Gary Chi Ho Ng 伍梓濠 (BBA(Law) 2016, LLB 2017 & PCLL 2018), who has become the first Hongkonger and the first Asian ever to be awarded Photographer of the Year at the prestigious 2026 Architecture Photography Awards (APA). This international accolade recognises Gary’s creative vision and underlines the global presence of HKU talent in the arts.
From HKU Law Student to Award-Winning Photographer
Gary’s journey in photography began when he started sharing architectural photos on his Instagram account @garyfive during his time at HKU, where he enrolled in the Faculty of Business and Economics and the Faculty of Law, majoring in Business and Law. While pursuing his legal studies, Gary rediscovered his childhood interest in the arts and began documenting the world around him. Inspired by the dramatic lines of local architecture near his secondary school and an architectural history elective he took on his own initiative at HKU, Gary’s fascination with architectural forms evolved into a passion for capturing geometry, symmetry, and the human experience in architecture through his lens.
“The architectural history elective I took at HKU laid the foundation for how I understand architecture through cultural, social, economic, and environmental perspectives. It deepened my interest in using architectural photography to document and interpret the relationship between architecture and people.”
As a double degree undergraduate at HKU, studying across two faculties, Gary benefited from learning through lenses and being exposed to different ways of thinking and perceiving the world. This openness encouraged him to experiment, make mistakes, and pursue interests not necessarily confined to his academic fields.
Upon graduation, Gary embarked on a dual career as a solicitor and photographer—a combination that exemplifies the diverse interests and ambitions fostered at HKU.
Signature Style and Philosophy
Gary is renowned for his distinct visual language, which he defines using the “three Ls”: Lines, Light, Life. His photographs feature strong geometric compositions, precise use of light and shadow, and subtle narratives created by incorporating solitary human figures into scenes of towering urban structures. This unique blend has allowed him to present Hong Kong’s dense cityscape in a new and emotionally resonant way, winning accolades both locally and abroad.
“I particularly enjoy photographing the interaction between architecture and humans. I believe architecture reflects the culture, character, and history of a place. Before every shoot, I often conduct extensive research into the location, as architectural styles are often closely intertwined with local history, regulations, ways of life, and even the materials used.
Through photography, I gain a deeper understanding of local culture while revealing the beauty of architecture that can easily go unnoticed in everyday life, inviting audiences to see their surroundings from a different perspective and inspiring resonance and dialogue.”
In April 2026, Gary reached a new milestone when HSBC Hong Kong invited him to shoot a series to mark the 40th anniversary of the HSBC Main Building. The result was “An Architectural Icon: Inside-Out”, Gary’s first photography exhibition and held inside the HSBC Main Building, which was attended by the building’s architect Lord Norman Foster on 9 April – making his first visit to Hong Kong in eight years.
A Celebrated International Career
Gary’s APA Photographer of the Year win marks a historic milestone not only for himself but also for Hong Kong and Asia’s creative community. This distinction follows an impressive string of honours:
- 2026 Architecture Photography Awards – First Hong Kong and Asia photographer to win Photographer of the Year (Overall Winner) for his “Frames of Minecraft”, along with First Place in two categories, Second Place in one category, Third Place in two categories, and Honourable Mention in seven categories.
- 2026 London Photography Awards – First Hong Kong photographer to win Architecture Category Winner of the Year for his “Spiral in Moonlight” series, along with three Platinum and six Gold awards.
- 2025 Architecture Photography MasterPrize – First Hong Kong photographer to win Interior Architecture Photography of the Year & Interior Architecture Photographer of the Year for his “Concrete Memento” series, along with three category wins. Gary will travel to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in November 2026 to attend the 2025/2026 Biennial Winners Gala to receive the accolades in person.
- 2026 London Photography Awards – First Hong Kong photographer to win Architecture Category Winner of the Year for his “Spiral in Moonlight” series, along with three Platinum and six Gold awards.
- 2025 Chromatic Photography Awards – First Hong Kong photographer to win in two separate categories for his “Hong Kong in the Veil” (below left) photograph in the Cityscapes category; and “Mid-Summer Day’s Dream” (below right) photograph in the Abstract category, along with one Second Place.
- 2025 Architecture Photography Awards – First Hong Kong photographer to win two separate categories for his “Hong Kong in the Veil” in the Urban Landscapes / Cityscapes Category; and “Concrete Memento” in the Light & Shadow Category, along with Second Place in four categories and Third Place in one category.
- 2025 Perspective Global “40 Under 40” Winner for his contributions to the architecture and interior design industry.
Notable works such as Hong Kong in the Veil, Concrete Memento, Orbits in Orbit, Mid-Summer Day’s Dream, Spiral in Moonlight, Frames of Minecraft, intricate residential façades, and striking compositions of isolated figures against grand architectural backdrops have garnered international attention and praise.
Through his architectural photography of Hong Kong, Gary hopes to bring the beauty of the city’s architecture—and the human spirit embodied within it—to the international stage, allowing more people around the world to see and appreciate Hong Kong.
For more of Gary Ng’s work, follow him on Instagram at @garyfive
Photo courtesy of Gary Ng
