HKFP Lens: 'The Nature of Water' captures intense and intimate photojournalism from Hong Kong's 2019 demos

The Nature of Water, a historic photojournalism and commentary book, captures the people, places and culture that shaped the 2019 anti-extradition law protests and the ultimate fate of Hong Kong.

Protesters using umbrellas to shield bursts of water from the police’s water cannon. Photo: Rémy Soubanère.

The title refers to the protesters’ self-proclaimed philosophy in the face of police action, inspired by the Bruce Lee quote – ”Be Water.”

Over 10,000 gathered at Edinburgh Place in Central on 27 June evening calling on G20 countries to raise concerns about Hong Kong. Photo: PH Yang.

Over 50 photographers contributed to the book.

Don't Shoot Our Kids — People gathering at Central for a sit-in on June 14, 2019, protesting against police brutality and the extradition bill. Photo: PH Yang.

“With intense and intimate photojournalism, protest artwork created by the citizens of Hong Kong, and scannable content that allows readers to hear the stories of photojournalists in their own words, this book is an artifact and a record of the historic events shaping Hong Kong, politics in the Pacific Rim, and the world at large,” a press statement read.

Hong Kong: Citizens Protest Proposed Extradition Law — A protestor tries to extinguish a tear gas cartridge in a protest on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China. on October 1, 2019. Photo: Aaron Guy Leroux/Sipa USA.

“[B]ehaving as water, flowing en masse through the city in search of gathering moments, citizens of all ages carried out several of the largest protests ever documented in the world,” it added.

A protestor holding a white flower, in an anti-extradition bill protests on June 16, 2019, where an estimated 2 million people took to the streets. Photo: Kiran Ridley.

Visit the website for more information.

Police charging into the New Park Mall on July 14, 2019. Photo: Aaron Guy Leroux/Sipa USA.

The Nature of Water – a 12″ x 10″ premium linen hardcover book – ships worldwide. The 250-page volume can be purchased directly for HK$908, CAD150 or US$114.