TIFA 2024 People / Life Style

Fountain Pen Surgeon

  • Prize
    Bronze in People/Life Style
  • Photographer
    Kirby Ma
  • Technical Info
    1/50, Iso 400, F/4.0, Full Frame
  • Photo Date
    Nov. 21, 2021

During the pandemic, a fountain pen repairman, with a surgical mask on, looked like a surgeon, still dedicatedly working at his small humble stall in an empty street. As time passes, technology has evolved, and typewriters, fax machines, and telephones with dials have disappeared. The pencil was substituted by a fountain pen, then by a ball pen. In this era, the keyboard and mouse dominate the tools of writing. By the time this old skillful technician leaves this world, his repair craftsmanship will probably have gone with him. He could save fountain pens, but not their heritage.

Kirby Ma is an award-winning passionate Chinese Canadian photographer based in Hong Kong, practicing street photography, portraits, landscape, cityscape, nature, and snap. With the advantage of various employment engagements, he was stationed in different countries such as Egypt, the Philippines, the USA, Canada, Europe, Japan, Taiwan, etc. to have close encounters and a better understanding of the local culture and people to perform portraits and street photography extensively. His vision is to share the joy of photography and bring more happiness to people.