“I hope one day I can photograph NBA games,” says university student Thomas Kwok.
The joy of sport is not only found in competing on the field or cheering from the stands. For basketball fan Thomas Kwok, he has chosen to document the through his camera, turning drops of sweat into lasting stories.
A university student with a deep love for sports, Thomas has competed in various sports since secondary school days, from basketball, volleyball, handball to table tennis. Outside the court, he is also an avid fan of basketball. Yet, simply watching from the stands was not enough for him. He yearned to join the action from a different perspective—capturing the athletes in action through his camera.
Thomas chuckled in as he recounted the beginnings of his photography journey—“chasing idols”. Hoping to capture the charisma of his idols, he began experimenting with portrait photography, which led to him becoming friends with somebody in the sports media industry. This friend invited him to attend a Division A1 basketball match. The clash of bodies, the sharp squeak of sneakers, the sheer intensity beneath the backboard and the relentless pace of the match all sent his pulse racing. No longer content to remain a mere spectator, he felt a sudden urge to step out of the stands and capture the heat of the moment with his camera.
Fuelled by his passion for sports, Thomas became increasingly engrossed in capturing athletes in action, resolving to hone his skills to elevate the storytelling in his photography. “That is when I really fell down the rabbit hole,” he admits, “I started pursuing better gear and sought out professional courses to improve my skills, hoping to produce photos that truly resonate with people.” This aspiration drove him to the sports photography course under JC Fit City. By encouraging people to engage with sports in diverse ways, the programme provides enthusiasts like Thomas with the perfect platform to participate from behind the lens.
Thomas also gained valuable practical experience through the programme, enabling him to photograph a wider variety of sports competitions. Beyond basketball, he covered sports that were unfamiliar to him, such as beach volleyball and football. This allowed him to renew how he “reads” sports games. “When watching a match as a spectator, I rarely notice the interactions between coaches and players, or the movements of support staff,” he explains. “Now I observe events from a broader lens, and feel the dedication and effort of athletes, coaches and even other staff members. This has given me a profound appreciation for the athletes’ perseverance, and these moments make for excellent photographic material.”
While Thomas’s academic background bears little relation to photography, these experiences have inspired his resolve to become a sports photographer. “I once felt lost about my future path until I witnessed, through my camera lens, the indomitable spirit of athletes fighting relentlessly for their dreams,” he admits. “Those moments moved me profoundly and gave me an unwavering determination to become a professional sports photographer, with the hope of one day working at an NBA arena.”
From a hobby to a path to profession—Thomas’s story demonstrates that passion can unlock limitless possibilities, and this embodies the ethos of JC Fit City. Beyond providing a launchpad for dreams, the programme encourages people of all ages and walks of life to discover their own way to participate in sports. By integrating sports activities into everyday routines, everyone can build a healthier lifestyle.
Did you know?
JC Fit City aims to encourage the public to embrace a healthy lifestyle. Through major events and low-entry-barrier sports activities, the project encourages people to incorporate sports and exercise into their daily lives and raise awareness about the benefits of an active lifestyle. This fosters peer support networks and helps people meet the weekly physical activity level recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Music and sports allowed students to set aside their grief and start afresh.” Principal Siu Ting remarked. Following the Wang Fuk Court fire, JC Project MuSE tailored music and sports activities for teachers and students, seeing children rebuild a steady rhythm as they embark on a journey of recovery composed of melody and sweat.