TOM BUGATTI
Biography
Born and raised in Poland, I have always been captivated by the world of storytelling, which led me to study American Film and Theatre. My passion for cinema, particularly the works of visionary directors like Andrey Tarkovsky, Krzysztof Kieslowski, David Lynch, Wong Kar Wai, Brian De Palma, and William Friedkin, have profoundly shaped my artistic perspective. Since relocating to Hong Kong in 2010, I have embraced the vibrant culture and dynamic urban landscape, which continue to inspire my photography. Growing up in Europe, my vision of Hong Kong was formed by cinema and since coming here I have been trying to recapture the Hong Kong I remember from my dreams and imagination. It is never my intention to document reality but instead to share the way I see the city through my eyes.
In addition to my creative pursuits, I teach Literature at a secondary school in Hong Kong, where I encourage my students to explore the power of narrative in all its forms. My photographic journey took a serious turn in 2017, as I sought to express my vision through the lens.
Photographic Influences
My work is deeply influenced by the philosophy of seeing reality and projecting it as a dream—my dream. I draw inspiration from masters of color and light, such as Harry Gruyaert, Alex Webb, and Gueorgui Pinkhassov. Their ability to manipulate light and color in ways that evoke emotion and narrative has shaped my approach to photography.
I believe that the power of a photographer lies in the license to decide what to include and what to exclude from the frame. This selective vision allows us to alter reality and create a dreamscape that resonates with our experiences and emotions. Through my workshops, I aim to share this philosophy with aspiring photographers, helping them to discover their unique voices and visions. I am particularly drawn to black and white photgoraphy; to me black and white photography is abstraction, because the real world is in colour so by removing it from the photo, you already alter the reality.
