Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

Can a camera (and thus photography) change your life? This is the theme that Alix Lee explores in The Way of the Shoestring Outdoor Photographer. In this book, the author recounts his travel experiences visiting Hong Kong in the 1900s and the Isle of Man in the early 2000s, spanning two different time frames. His sojourn in Hong Kong began in 1993, where he worked as an English tutor. To avoid the city's clutter and expense, he lived near the Chinese border in a small village at a time when Hong Kong was still under British rule. He was struck by the cultural differences among the locals in what was a veritable melting pot. The languages spoken were predominantly Mandarin and Cantonese, but there were also many Koreans. He had to adapt to unfriendly neighbors who did not welcome strangers from foreign parts. There were ethnic divisions and racist insults. It was a time of personal social isolation, but he was determined to stay, sustained by his rekindled interest in photography. He started hiking, taking pictures of abandoned buildings and an abandoned village, pondering what might have transpired. On the Isle of Man, he revisited familiar towns and haunts from his childhood, camera in hand.

The Way of the Shoestring Outdoor Photographer is part of the True Tales of a Traveler series. It combines reflections on Alix Lee’s travels with some historical details. He also writes of cameras and camera shops. New cameras brought new perspectives. He shares the limitations of buying and using entry-level photographic equipment, before the digital era gave access to new technology at a premium price. In common with most aspirant photographers, the success rate for good photographs is low and can be discouraging. He examines the difference between studio photography, outdoor photography, and travel photography, with their different lighting conditions and subject matter. Travel can pose challenges at times, with inaccessible terrain and long distances. The author provides guidance for aspiring photographers without getting bogged down in the technicalities of what equipment to buy. The writing style is conversational and warm. The insights into the plight of a cash-strapped photographer on his travels are entertaining.