By: Ding
"I love photography and traveling because they help me relax and allow me to enjoy the freshness of shooting in a foreign place."
I believe many photography enthusiasts are just like Francis, who also love to travel. As photography lovers, when we visit new places, we always hope to find beautiful or unique spots to capture distinctive travel photos. This time, the Fever Travel Portrait series features Francis So, a renowned Hong Kong-based time-lapse photography artist and travel photographer, who will share his diverse travel photography experiences.
"Actually, I’ve loved photography since middle school. Back then, I would carry a simple camera around and take photos everywhere, especially enjoying capturing night scenes and documentary-style images."
Because of this passion for photography, Francis later studied digital media design and pursued a career in design after graduation. Over time, Francis has become famous for shooting landscapes using time-lapse techniques. His works have been widely reported and shared by media both in China and abroad, earning him multiple international awards. He has also collaborated with various organizations, tourism boards, and newspapers/magazines to share and discuss the skills of time-lapse and travel photography.
"I think photography is a joyful thing. The most important part is enjoying the process. Of course, it’s great to encounter breathtaking scenery, but even if you don’t, the process itself is still enjoyable."
In early 2014, he visited Switzerland and was deeply captivated by its natural beauty. The photo above was taken this year as he entered Switzerland from Austria and was boating on a lake. Gazing quietly at the town of Hallstatt from the lake offered a more unique view compared to typical photo spots. On his second trip to Switzerland, Francis stayed for 16 days. While keeping some of his usual hiking routes, he also spent three nights in the mountains, capturing many moving photos.
"The happiest moment is seeing the golden sunrise on the mountain peak, because it really takes a bit of luck. You can see golden sunlight on snowy mountains in many places, but there aren’t many spots where you can witness the 'Golden Triangle Sunrise'!"
Besides luck, persistence is also key — the commitment to waking up early and the dedication to photography are what make photos truly moving. Seeing the reflection of the Matterhorn in the lake was also a thoughtful composition.
With his dedication and passion for photography, Francis submitted a time-lapse video documenting the four seasons of Hong Kong last year and won four awards at the "Finisterra Arrábida Film Art & Tourism Festival" held in Portugal.
Francis recently held a Swiss travel photography lecture for us at Fever Travel, which sold out instantly and was an incredible success.
Currently, aside from collaborating with various organizations, tourism boards, and publications, Francis also travels to different places to share and teach time-lapse and travel photography skills. Sometimes, he even personally leads photography tours as an instructor. For travel, destinations range from Shirakawa-go in Japan to the Sky Mirror in South America, all of which are of interest to Francis. Among them, he hopes to hike in Patagonia, Chile, to photograph the natural scenery he loves. Of course, Switzerland is a place he wishes to revisit again and again.
FranSo's Recommendations: Top Photography Spots in Switzerland
1) Bachalpsee Lake
Bachalpsee (Bachalpsee) faces magnificent mountain scenery. Especially after the ice melts in spring and summer, the turquoise lake water set against snow-capped peaks creates breathtaking views, making it a great spot to appreciate nature.
Franso particularly mentioned that by the shores of Bachalpsee, you can see the reflections of two peaks — Schreckhorn (4078m) and Finsteraarhorn (4273m) — and it’s also an excellent picnic spot.
Related Reading:Introduction to Bachalpsee Scenic Spot
2) Lej da Ried – Golden Triangle Sunrise
As FranSo mentioned earlier, golden sunlight on snowy mountains can be seen in many places, but witnessing the "Golden Triangle Sunrise" is quite rare. However, at Lej da Ried, you can see the reflection of the Matterhorn in the lake, which is especially stunning at sunrise.
FranSo reminds everyone that when such beautiful scenery appears, don’t just busy yourself with taking photos — try to immerse yourself in the moment and enjoy the experience as well.
Related Reading:Introduction to Lej da Ried Scenic Spot
3) Gornergrat – Mountain Galaxy
When Francis first visited Switzerland in early 2014, he chose to stay overnight at Gornergrat. Although the hotel was a bit pricey, he found it totally worth it. He stayed in a room with a view of the Monte Rosa massif, and unexpectedly, the window faced directly south. Opening the window not only revealed snow-capped mountains and glaciers but also offered a beautiful starry sky at night. Though the moment was brief, it was deeply satisfying.
Related Reading:Introduction to Gornergrat Scenic Spot