Sunset and Selfies: Welcome to Hong Kong’s Instagram Pier

2 minute read
Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR, China); Date (10, 30, 2016); two young lovers embrace in a hugh while checking their phones. "Instagram pier" is a public cargo pier located on the west side of Hong Kong island; here locals gather for fishing, excercising or walking their pets. More recently the Pier has raised to fame as the “instagram Pier”, whereyoung Hong Kongers and instagrammers come for selfies and scenic photos. I have recently begun curating its "instagram" dedicated account (@insta_pier).
Two young lovers embrace while checking their phones in Hong Kong.Pierfrancesco Celada
By Olivier Laurent

In Hong Kong’s Western district, one sea jetty has gained unexpected popularity among photographers and Instagram users. Offering unique open views of Hong Kong’s skyline, the Public Cargo Pier, as it’s matter-of-factly called, has become the perfect spot for the types of selfies that quickly garner flurries of likes on Instagram.

Pierfrancesco Celada, an Italian photographer who splits his time between his native country and Hong Kong, first came across the pier during an exploratory walk. “In the last few years, I’ve focused my attention into documenting living conditions in modern cities,” he tells TIME. “Selfies, self-representation and the usage of social media are playing a great part in today’s society, especially among the younger generations. I always wanted to explore further this topic and the pier represented a good opportunity.”

A selection of sunset images taken from the "Instagram Pier" in Hong Kong.Pierfrancesco Celada
A selection of portraits taken from the "Instagram Pier" in Hong Kong.Pierfrancesco Celada

All day long, people take to the pier to “create and re-create very similar ‘Instagram-driven’ imagery,” says Celada. Often their composition is simple and symmetrical, with the subjects looking into the distance, the backdrop juxtaposing the complexity of Hong Kong’s skyline with the peacefulness of Victoria Harbor’s water. “It’s a constant repetition of situations played by different actors with very similar goals,” says Celada. So similar, in fact, that the Instagram Pier geo-tag and hashtag were created for photographs taken there.

Last year, Celada started taking pictures of these Instagram users as they composed their shots. But in recent weeks, he’s been collaborating with them on social media. “I wanted to begin a conversation with other Instagrammers using their available images on the platform and combining them with my own photographs,” he says. Celada has also launched the @insta_pier account where he collects some of these images and expanding visual conversations.

Pierfrancesco Celada is an Italian photographer based in Milan and Hong Kong. Follow him on Instagram.

Olivier Laurent is the editor of TIME LightBox. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @olivierclaurent

Follow TIME LightBox on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR, China); Date (10, 30, 2016); two young lovers embrace in a hugh while checking their phones. "Instagram pier" is a public cargo pier located on the west side of Hong Kong island; here locals gather for fishing, excercising or walking their pets. More recently the Pier has raised to fame as the “instagram Pier”, whereyoung Hong Kongers and instagrammers come for selfies and scenic photos. I have recently begun curating its "instagram" dedicated account (@insta_pier).
Two young lovers embrace while checking their phones in Hong Kong.Pierfrancesco Celada
Photographers compose their shots. Hong Kong.Pierfrancesco Celada
Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR, China); Date (11, 15, 2016); a young woman poses for selfies on the Pier. "Instagram pier" is a public cargo pier located on the west side of Hong Kong island; here locals gather for fishing, excercising or walking their pets. More recently the Pier has raised to fame as the “instagram Pier”, whereyoung Hong Kongers and instagrammers come for selfies and scenic photos. I have recently begun curating its "instagram" dedicated account (@insta_pier).
A young woman poses for selfies on the Pier. Hong Kong. Pierfrancesco Celada
"Instagram pier" is a public cargo pier located on the west side of Hong Kong island; here locals gather for fishing, excercising or walking their pets.More recently the pier has raised to fame as the “instagram pier”, where young Hong Kongers and instagrammers come for selfies and scenic photos.
The "Instagram pier" is a public cargo pier located in Hong Kong's western district.Pierfrancesco Celada
Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR, China); Date (11, 03, 2016); A young couple practicing jumping in front of the camera; "Instagram pier" is a public cargo pier located on the west side of Hong Kong island; here locals gather for fishing, excercising or walking their pets. More recently the Pier has raised to fame as the “instagram Pier”, where young Hong Kongers and instagrammers come for selfies and scenic photos. I have recently begun curating its "instagram" dedicated account (@insta_pier).
A young couple jumps in front of the camera. Hong Kong. Pierfrancesco Celada
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A man poses for his Instagram.Pierfrancesco Celada
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A young couple sits at the "Instagram Pier" in Hong Kong.Pierfrancesco Celada
Three married couples pose for pictures at the "Instagram Pier" in Hong Kong.Pierfrancesco Celada
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A married couple poses for photos at the "Instagram Pier" in Hong Kong.Pierfrancesco Celada
Four Instagram users take a photo on the "Instagram Pier" in Hong Kong.
Four Instagram users take a photo on the "Instagram Pier" in Hong Kong.Pierfrancesco Celada
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People pose at the "Instagram Pier" in Hong Kong.Pierfrancesco Celada
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Three Instagram users take a photo using a drone on the "Instagram Pier" in Hong Kong.Pierfrancesco Celada
Various cameras and phones are propped up for photographs on the "Instagram Pier" in Hong Kong.Pierfrancesco Celada
Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR, China); Date (10, 30, 2016); two youngsters make selfies on the Pier. "Instagram pier" is a public cargo pier located on the west side of Hong Kong island; here locals gather for fishing, excercising or walking their pets. More recently the Pier has raised to fame as the “instagram Pier”, whereyoung Hong Kongers and instagrammers come for selfies and scenic photos. I have recently begun curating its "instagram" dedicated account (@insta_pier).
Two youngsters take selfies on the Pier in Hong Kong.Pierfrancesco Celada
Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR, China); Date (08, 26, 2016); a young man is contemplating the view of the Pier; "Instagram pier" is a public cargo pier located on the west side of Hong Kong island; here locals gather for fishing, excercising or walking their pets. More recently the Pier has raised to fame as the “instagram Pier”, whereyoung Hong Kongers and instagrammers come for selfies and scenic photos. I have recently begun curating its "instagram" dedicated account (@insta_pier).
A young man is contemplating the view from the "Instagram Pier" in Hong Kong.Pierfrancesco Celada
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A young woman poses for her Instagram.Pierfrancesco Celada
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A man takes a picture for his Instagram feed.Pierfrancesco Celada
Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR, China); Date (11, 04, 2016); a wedding photoshoot on the Pier, bride and groom running for the camera; "Instagram pier" is a public cargo pier located on the west side of Hong Kong island; here locals gather for fishing, excercising or walking their pets. More recently the Pier has raised to fame as the “instagram Pier”, whereyoung Hong Kongers and instagrammers come for selfies and scenic photos. I have recently begun curating its "instagram" dedicated account (@insta_pier).
A wedding photoshoot on the "Instagram Pier" in Hong Kong.Pierfrancesco Celada

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